# immediate

/ˌɪˈmiˌdiət/ (US) · /ɪmˈiːdɪət/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/immediate
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. happening right away

adjective · CEFR B1

happening or done at once, without any delay.

For teachers: occurring or accomplished without any intervening time or delay.

- The patient needs immediate medical attention to stop the bleeding.
- The government promised an immediate response to the crisis, though critics argued that the proposed measures would take weeks to implement.

### 2. closest family

adjective · CEFR B1

your closest relatives, such as parents, children, and siblings.

For teachers: denoting the nearest category of relationship, typically restricted to parents, siblings, and children.

- The funeral was a small event attended only by immediate family.
- While his extended relatives live abroad, his immediate family resides within a few miles of the family estate.

### 3. next to or nearby

adjective · CEFR B2

being very close to something in space or position.

For teachers: nearest in space or relationship; having no intervening object or person.

- There are no shops in the immediate area, so you have to drive to town.
- The blast caused significant damage to the immediate surroundings, shattering windows in all the adjacent office blocks.

### 4. urgent military request

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

used in the military to show that a message or request for help is very urgent.

For teachers: denoting a high priority or urgent requirement for action, particularly in communications or artillery support.

- The commander sent an immediate request for smoke to hide the soldiers.
- The forward observer called for immediate suppression to neutralise the enemy position before the infantry began their final advance.

## Examples

- The patient needs immediate medical attention.
- The manager demanded an immediate response to the email because the deadline was only an hour away.
- While the long-term effects of the policy remain uncertain, the immediate consequence was a sharp increase in consumer spending across the retail sector.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.