instantly — English Dictionary

Adverb

1. At once; without delay.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   When the neighbours' dog barked, ours instantly replied with a howl.

   More examples (4)

   Then we relapsed into a discomfited silence, and wished we were anywhere else. But Miss Thorn relieved the situation by laughing aloud, and with such a hearty enjoyment that instead of getting angry and more mortified we began to laugh ourselves, and instantly felt better.

   The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott.

   But signalman Bridges was never to answer driver Gimbert's desperate question. A deafening, massive blast blew the wagon to shreds, the 44 high-explosive bombs exploding like simultaneous hits from the aircraft they should have been dropped from. The station was instantly reduced to bits of debris, and the line to a huge crater.

   Guardiola swung haymakers in all directions; he presented one of the world’s richest clubs as a noble, put-upon underdog; and he established a siege mentality with such coruscating precision that Football Daily instantly bet the farm on City winning the Premier League this season.

2. Urgently; with insistence.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.

   Theoxena although she were instantly urged thereunto, could never be induced to marry againe.

3. At the same time.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   As if he mastred there a double spirit Of teaching, and of learning instantly

Conjunction

1. As soon as, directly.

   Examples

   I phoned instantly I heard you were back.

Adverb

1. without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

   Synonyms

   immediatelystraightawaystraight offdirectlynowright awayat onceforthwithlike a shot

   Examples

   he answered immediately

   found an answer straightaway

   More examples (2)

   an official accused of dishonesty should be suspended forthwith

   Come here now!

2. without any delay

   Synonyms

   instantaneouslyoutrightin a flash

   Examples

   he was killed outright