immediate
- 01 B1 Intermediate
happening or done at once, without any delay.
occurring or accomplished without any intervening time or delay.
Simple“The patient needs immediate medical attention to stop the bleeding.”
In context“The government promised an immediate response to the crisis, though critics argued that the proposed measures would take weeks to implement.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
your closest relatives, such as parents, children, and siblings.
denoting the nearest category of relationship, typically restricted to parents, siblings, and children.
Simple“The funeral was a small event attended only by immediate family.”
In context“While his extended relatives live abroad, his immediate family resides within a few miles of the family estate.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
being very close to something in space or position.
nearest in space or relationship; having no intervening object or person.
Simple“There are no shops in the immediate area, so you have to drive to town.”
In context“The blast caused significant damage to the immediate surroundings, shattering windows in all the adjacent office blocks.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
used in the military to show that a message or request for help is very urgent.
denoting a high priority or urgent requirement for action, particularly in communications or artillery support.
Simple“The commander sent an immediate request for smoke to hide the soldiers.”
In context“The forward observer called for immediate suppression to neutralise the enemy position before the infantry began their final advance.”
Usage immediate effect · immediate action · immediate family
From Old French immediat (French immédiat), borrowed from Late Latin immediātus (“without in-between, moderation”), from Latin in + mediātus, perfect passive participle of mediō (“to halve, to be in the middle”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from medius (“middle”). By surface analysis, im- + mediate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.