ENGLISH
REFERENCE

immediately

adv. · conj.
US //ˌɪˈmiˌdiətɫi// UK //ɪmˈiːdɪətli// im·me·di·ate·ly
  1. 1 instantly (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    right now or without any delay.

    occurring at once; without any intervening period of time.

    Example

    If you see a fire, you must leave the building immediately.

    Example

    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.

  2. 2 directly next to (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    right next to something in space or following it exactly in a list.

    without any intervening space or position; in direct contact or sequence.

    Example

    The bathroom is immediately to the left of the bedroom door.

    Example

    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'.
    • distantly
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  1. 3 as soon as (conj.)
    C1 Advanced British English

    used to say that one thing happens at the same time as another.

    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.

    Example

    Immediately he saw her, he knew something was wrong.

    Example

    Immediately the results were announced, the candidate began preparing her acceptance speech for the evening gala.

    Teacher's tip

    This conjunctive use is more common in British English; American speakers typically prefer 'as soon as' or 'the moment'.
Origin

From Middle English immediatly, equivalent to immediate + -ly.

Word family

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