instant

ins

ˈɪns

ins

tant

tənt

tēnt

Definition & Meaning of "instant"in English

instant

ADJECTIVE

happening or made very quickly and easily

immediate

instantaneous

prompt

quick

swift

Grammatical Information

Composition

Simple

qualitative

ungradable

Examples

The microwave oven offers instant heating for food.

1.1

(of food and drinks) processed to allow for very quick and easy preparation

Examples

I always keep a jar of instant coffee for busy mornings.

1.2

becoming something very quickly or having an immediate, direct effect or result

overnight

instant

Examples

Her decision to speak up had an instant impact on the meeting’s direction.

requiring immediate attention or action

clamant

crying

exigent

pressing

urgent

Examples

He felt an instant need to respond to the criticism.

currently happening or existing

immediate

Examples

The judge ruled that the previous offenses were not relevant to the instant case.

3.1

occurring during the current month

inst

instant

Examples

The meeting will take place on the 15th instant.

Instant

NOUN

a very brief period of time

bit

flash

heartbeat

jiffy

minute

Grammatical Information

Animacy status

Abstract

Composition

Simple

Countable

Plural form

instants

Examples

For an instant, she thought she saw someone standing in the shadows.

a certain or exact point in time

minute

moment

Examples

He knew at that instant that he had made the right decision.

coffee that is prepared quickly and easily by adding hot water to pre-processed granules or powder

instant coffee

Informal

Examples

She offered me a cup of instant, but I prefer freshly brewed coffee.

Lexical Tree

instantaneous

instantly

instant

inst

Nearby Words

Definition & Meaning of "instant"in English

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