# instant

/ˈɪnstənt/ (US) · /ˈɪnstənt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. immediate

adjective · CEFR B1

happening or done immediately, without any delay.

For teachers: occurring or performed at once; characterized by a lack of any intervening time.

- The new song was an instant success and played on every radio station.
- The CEO's resignation met with an instant reaction from the stock market, causing prices to fluctuate wildly within minutes of the announcement.

### 2. quick to prepare

adjective · CEFR A2

describing food or drink that you can make very quickly, usually by adding hot water.

For teachers: denoting a food or beverage product designed for rapid preparation, typically through the addition of a liquid.

- He didn't have time for a real meal, so he just made some instant noodles.
- While instant coffee is convenient for office environments, many enthusiasts argue that it lacks the complex flavor profile of freshly ground beans.

### 3. of the current month

adjective · CEFR C2 · Formal · Archaic

a formal way to talk about the current month.

For teachers: pertaining to the current month; used primarily in formal or legal correspondence to refer to the month of the date on the letter.

- Thank you for your letter of the 10th instant regarding our contract.
- The defendant's counsel submitted a revised motion on the 14th instant, superseding the previous documentation provided to the court.

Usage: Usually follows the day of the month (e.g., 'the 5th instant').

### 4. a moment

noun · CEFR B1

a very short period of time.

For teachers: an infinitesimal or very brief period of time; a precise point in time.

- For an instant, she forgot where she was when she woke up.
- The lightning flash illuminated the valley for a brief instant before the landscape was plunged back into total darkness.

### 5. immediately

adverb · CEFR C2 · Literary

right away or at once.

For teachers: at once; immediately. Used primarily in poetic or highly literary contexts.

- The shadows vanished instant the sun rose over the hill.
- The messenger departed instant the king had finished speaking, desperate to reach the border before nightfall.

## Examples

- The light changed in an instant.
- For an instant, the witness hesitated before identifying the suspect in the courtroom.
- The legal implications of the contract became clear the instant the signature was applied, binding both parties to the terms immediately and without further recourse.

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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.