instantly
IHNS-tuhnt-lee
Instantly (adv) means Right away; without any delay at all. Example: “The baby instantly stopped crying when her mother picked her up.”
adv
1
Right away; without any delay at all.
"The baby instantly stopped crying when her mother picked her up."
"He instantly regretted sending the message."
"The app crashed instantly after the update."
conj
1
As soon as; the moment that.
"Instantly the bell rang, the pupils rushed out into the playground."
"Instantly he heard the news, he picked up the phone."
"Instantly she walked in, everyone stopped talking."
How to use instantly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishImmediately, with zero waiting.
Common pairings
instantly recognizable
instantly regret
die instantly
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Synonyms
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Rhymes for instantly
elegantly
valiantly
blatantly
distantly
abundantly
constantly
pleasantly
importantly
reluctantly
incessantly
brilliantly
triumphantly
See all rhymes for instantly →
Frequently asked questions
What does “instantly” mean?
The word “instantly” means right away; without any delay at all. In plain terms, immediately, with zero waiting.
How do you pronounce “instantly”?
“Instantly” is pronounced IHNS-tuhnt-lee (/ˈɪnstəntli/ in IPA).
How do you use “instantly” in a sentence?
Here is “instantly” used in a sentence: “He instantly regretted sending the message.”
What part of speech is “instantly”?
Depending on how it is used, “instantly” can be an adverb and a conjunction.
Is “instantly” a common word?
“Instantly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “instantly” have?
“Instantly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: right away; without any delay at all.
What is the difference between instantly and immediately?
Instantly and immediately both mean without delay and are often interchangeable. Instantly stresses that something happens in a single instant with no perceptible gap, while immediately can also mean "as the very next step" and is slightly more common in formal writing.
What is the difference between instantly and instantaneously?
Both mean happening at once, but instantaneously is longer, more formal, and often used in scientific or technical contexts, while instantly is the everyday choice. Their core meaning is essentially the same.
Can instantly be used to mean 'as soon as'?
Yes, instantly can act as a conjunction meaning "the moment that" or "as soon as," as in "instantly he arrived, the meeting began." This use is somewhat formal or old-fashioned and more common in British English.
Where does instantly go in a sentence?
As an adverb, instantly usually comes before the main verb or after the verb "to be," as in "she instantly agreed" or "it was instantly clear." It can also open a sentence for emphasis.
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