instant
IHNS-tuhnt
Instant (adj) means happening right away, with no delay. Example: “The medicine brought instant relief from the headache.”
adj
1
Happening right away, with no delay.
"The medicine brought instant relief from the headache."
"It was instant chemistry between them from the first meeting."
"The film was an instant hit with children all over the country."
2
Quick and easy to prepare, especially food or drink made by just adding water.
"She made a cup of instant coffee before the meeting."
"Instant noodles are cheap, fast, and surprisingly filling."
"I keep a jar of instant soup at work for busy lunchtimes."
noun
1
A single very short moment in time.
"For an instant, she thought she saw someone in the doorway."
"The lights went out, and in an instant the room was silent."
"Wait just an instant while I find my keys."
How to use instant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappening immediately, or (for food) quick to make.
Common mistake
As an adjective before food/drink nouns ("instant coffee", "instant noodles") it means pre-processed for fast preparation, not just "fast".
Common pairings
instant relief
instant coffee
instant success
for an instant
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- instants
- Past tense
- instanted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The medicine brought _____ relief from the headache.
Etymology
From Old French instant, from Latin instans ("standing near, pressing, urgent"), the present participle of instare, "to stand upon or press upon" — from in- ("on") + stare ("to stand").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “instant” mean?
The word “instant” means happening right away, with no delay. In plain terms, happening immediately, or (for food) quick to make.
How do you pronounce “instant”?
“Instant” is pronounced IHNS-tuhnt (/ˈɪnstənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “instant” in a sentence?
Here is “instant” used in a sentence: “The medicine brought instant relief from the headache.”
What part of speech is “instant”?
Depending on how it is used, “instant” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “instant” come from?
The word “instant” comes from Latin. From Old French instant, from Latin instans ("standing near, pressing, urgent"), the present participle of instare, "to stand upon or press upon" — from in- ("on") + stare ("to stand").
Is “instant” a common word?
“Instant” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “instant” have?
“Instant” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: happening right away, with no delay.
What is the difference between instant and instantaneous?
'Instant' means happening right away with no delay and is the everyday word, also used for quick-to-prepare products. 'Instantaneous' stresses that something occurs in a single moment and sounds more technical, so you say 'instant coffee' but 'an instantaneous reaction'.
What is the difference between instant and immediate?
Both describe something happening without delay, but 'instant' emphasizes that there is no gap in time at all, while 'immediate' stresses that nothing comes in between or nothing else takes priority. They overlap heavily, though 'immediate' can also mean nearest, as in 'immediate family'.
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