immediate

immediate
im|me|di|ate [ ı`midiət ] adjective ***
1. ) happening or done now, without any delay:
Our government must take immediate action.
Restrictions on advertising had an immediate impact on rates of teenage smoking.
The rebels demanded the immediate release of the prisoners.
a ) your immediate reaction to something is the first thing you think, feel, or do when it happens:
My immediate response was to say yes.
The announcement brought immediate denunciation from environmental bodies.
b ) existing now and needing urgent action:
There doesn't seem to be any immediate danger.
The French threat was the most immediate and damaging.
c ) only before noun existing in the period of time directly before or after an event:
in the immediate prewar period
immediate aftermath: terrible pictures of the immediate aftermath of the earthquake
the immediate future: The two men have different plans for the immediate future.
2. ) only before noun someone in an immediate relationship to you is closely connected to you:
She is my immediate superior (=the person directly in charge of me).
members of the President's immediate entourage
immediate family (=your parents, children, brothers, and sisters): People with immediate family on the plane are asked to call the airline.
a ) immediate predecessor/successor the person who comes directly before or after you in a particular job or relationship:
a decision made by his immediate predecessor at the State Department
3. ) only before noun immediate aims, wishes, or needs are of the greatest importance and are dealt with first:
Our immediate aim is to qualify for next year's finals.
4. ) only before noun next to a place or person, or a very small distance away from them:
immediate vicinity (=area): There are several pleasant paths in the immediate vicinity.

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • immediate — I (at once) adjective flash, instant, instantaneous, praesens, prompt, quick, speedy, sudden, unhesitating, with reasonable dispatch, without delay II (imminent) adjective about to happen, anticipated, approaching, at hand, close, close a …   Law dictionary

  • Immediate — Im*me di*ate, a. [F. imm[ e]diat. See {In } not, and {Mediate}.] 1. Not separated in respect to place by anything intervening; proximate; close; as, immediate contact. [1913 Webster] You are the most immediate to our throne. Shak. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • immediate — [i mē′dē it] adj. [LL immediatus: see IN 2 & MEDIATE] 1. having nothing coming between; with no intermediary; specif., a) not separated in space; in direct contact; closest; nearest b) close by; near [immediate neighbors] c …   English World dictionary

  • immediate — [adj1] instantaneous; without delay actual, at once, at present time, at this moment, critical, current, existing, extant, first, hairtrigger*, instant, live, next, now, on hand*, paramount, present, pressing, prompt, up todate*, urgent; concepts …   New thesaurus

  • immediate — ► ADJECTIVE 1) occurring or done at once. 2) nearest in time, space, or relationship. 3) most urgent; current. 4) without an intervening medium or agency; direct: a coronary was the immediate cause of death. DERIVATIVES immediacy noun. ORIGIN …   English terms dictionary

  • immediate — (adj.) late 14c., intervening, interposed; early 15c., with nothing interposed; direct, also with reference to time, from O.Fr. immediat, from L.L. immediatus without anything between, from assimilated form of in not, opposite of (see IN (Cf. in… …   Etymology dictionary

  • immediate — *direct Analogous words: *nearest, next: intuitive, instinctive Antonyms: mediate (knowledge, relation, operation): distant (relatives) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • immediate */*/*/ — UK [ɪˈmiːdɪət] / US [ɪˈmɪdɪət] adjective 1) happening or done now, without any delay Our government must take immediate action. The rebels demanded the immediate release of the prisoners. Restrictions on advertising had an immediate impact on… …   English dictionary

  • immediate — [[t]ɪmi͟ːdiət[/t]] ♦♦♦ 1) ADJ: usu ADJ n An immediate result, action, or reaction happens or is done without any delay. These tragic incidents have had an immediate effect... My immediate reaction was just disgust. Syn: instant 2) ADJ GRADED: usu …   English dictionary

  • immediate — adjective Etymology: Middle English immediat, from Anglo French, from Late Latin immediatus, from Latin in + Late Latin mediatus intermediate more at mediate Date: 15th century 1. a. acting or being without the intervention of another object,… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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