Word
immediately
Phoneticsim·me·di·ate·ly, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪˈmiˌdiətɫi/
UK/ɪmˈiːdɪətli/
Adverb of time
Definitions
01instantly
A2 · Elementary
adv. right now or without any delay.
adv. occurring at once; without any intervening period of time.
“If you see a fire, you must leave the building immediately.”
“The emergency services responded immediately to the call, arriving at the scene within minutes of the initial report.”
Usage
Usually placed at the end of a clause or directly before the verb it modifies.
Pitfall
I will do it immediate.
I will do it immediately.
Use the adverb form 'immediately' to describe how or when an action is done.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02directly next to
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. right next to something in space or following it exactly in a list.
adv. without any intervening space or position; in direct contact or sequence.
“The bathroom is immediately to the left of the bedroom door.”
“The period immediately following the revolution was marked by significant social upheaval and rapid legislative reform.”
Usage
Often used with prepositions like 'after', 'before', 'above', or 'below'.
Antonyms
03as soon as
C1 · Advanced British English
conj. used to say that one thing happens at the same time as another.
conj. used as a subordinating conjunction to indicate that the action in the main clause occurs at the same moment as the action in the subordinate clause.
“Immediately he saw her, he knew something was wrong.”
“Immediately the results were announced, the candidate began preparing her acceptance speech for the evening gala.”
Teaching tip
This conjunctive use is more common in British English; American speakers typically prefer 'as soon as' or 'the moment'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “immediately” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English immediatly, equivalent to immediate + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/immediately