immediate

The definition of immediate is next in line or something that is occurring right now.

(adjective)

An example of something that would be described as an immediate need is if you are starving and need food right this minute.

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See immediate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. having nothing coming between; with no intermediary; specif.,
    1. not separated in space; in direct contact; closest; nearest
    2. close by; near: immediate neighbors
    3. not separated in time; acting or happening at once; without delay; instant
  2. of the present time
  3. next in order, succession, etc.; next in line
  4. directly or closely related: one's immediate family
  5. directly affecting; direct; firsthand: an immediate cause
  6. understood or perceived directly or intuitively: an immediate inference

Origin: LL immediatus: see in- & mediate

Related Forms:

See immediate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Occurring at once; instant: gave me an immediate response.
  2. a. Of or near the present time: in the immediate future.
    b. Of or relating to the present time and place; current: “It is probable that, apart from the most immediate, pragmatic, technical revisions, the writer's effort to detach himself from his work is quixotic” (Joyce Carol Oates).
  3. Close at hand; near: in the immediate vicinity. See Synonyms at close.
  4. Next in line or relation: is an immediate successor to the president of the company.
  5. Directly apprehended or perceived: had immediate awareness of the scope of the crisis.
  6. Acting or occurring without the interposition of another agency or object; direct.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English immediat

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Late Latin immediātus

Origin: : Latin in-, not; see in-1

Origin: + Latin mediātus

Origin: , past participle of mediāre, to be in the middle; see mediate

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Related Forms:

  • im·meˈdi·ate·ness noun

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