# instantaneously

/ˌɪnstənˈtæniəsɫi/ (US) · /ˌɪnstɑːntˈeɪniəsli/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/instantaneously
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

happening or happening at the same time as something else. It describes something that happens so fast that you cannot see it take place.

For teachers: occurring or happening at the same time as another event; without any delay. Often used to describe physical or mechanical responses that are immediate.

## Examples

- The light turned on instantaneously when I flipped the switch.
- The computer processes the data instantaneously, allowing the user to see the results of their calculations in real time.
- In physics, the theory suggests that information can travel instantaneously across vast distances, though this remains a subject of intense debate among modern researchers.

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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.