instant

CEFRA2

/ˈɪnstənt/

noun · adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A very short period of time, often only a moment.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Happening or prepared without any delay.

Examples

  • Fanned by a strong wind, the fire spread in an instant.

  • This account gives you instant access to your money.

At a glance

Sits at A2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A beverage or food which has been pre-processed to reduce preparation time, especially instant coffee.

  2. A single, usually precise, point in time.

  3. A very short period of time; a moment.

More examples

In context

  • To my amazement, it disappeared in an instant.

  • January 2, 1827, Thomas Carlyle, letter to Mrs. Carlyle, Scotsbrig I am beginning to be very instant for some sort of occupation.

  • She paused for only an instant, which was just enough time for John to change the subject.

Synonyms

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Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English instant (“infinitely short period of time”), from Old French instant (“assiduous, at hand”, adjective), from Latin īnstāns, īnstantis (“present, pressing, urgent”, literally “standing near”), present active participle of īnstō (“to stand upon, be nearby”), from in- (“after”) + stō (“to stand”). Compare Old English instede (“immediately, on the spot, at once”). More at in, stand.