Instantaneous Meaning
/ɪnstənˈteɪni.əs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjOccurring, arising, or functioning without any delay; happening within an imperceptibly brief period of time.
Sentence Examples
Lightning is nearly instantaneous.
His death was instantaneous.
Globalization brought us the possibility of fast and instantaneous communication.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The chemical reaction was nearly ____, finishing in less than a second.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The drug provided almost ____ relief from the sharp pain that the patient had been feeling earlier.
Word Origin & History
From New Latin īnstāntāneus, from Latin īnstantem.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"This instantaneous motion is supposed by you, to be infinitely swift."
— 1631, William Twisse, chapter VI, in A Discovery of D. Iacksons vanitie, page 223:
"However, no lovers in romance ever cemented a more inſtantaneous friendſhip."
— 1766, [Oliver Goldsmith], “Fresh Mortifications, or a Demonstration that Seeming Calamities may be Real Blessings”, in The Vicar of Wakefield: […], volume I, Salisbury, Wiltshire: […] B. Collins, for F[rancis] Newbery, […], →OCLC, page 137:
"The colour now rushed into Elizabeth's cheeks in the instantaneous conviction of its being a letter from the nephew, instead of the aunt; [...]"
— 1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], chapter XV, in Pride and Prejudice: […], volume III, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 262:
"I walk always with my right hand closed round the india-rubber ball which I have in my trouser pocket. The pressing of this ball actuates a detonator inside the flask I carry in my pocket. It's the principle of the pneumatic instantaneous shutter for a camera lens."
— 1906 January–October, Joseph Conrad, chapter IV, in The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale (Collection of British Authors; 3995), copyright edition, London: Bernhard Tauchnitz, published 1907, →OCLC, pages 68–69:
"The penis is the perfectly obvious and natural symbol of instantaneous time."
— 1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 129:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The chemical reaction was nearly ____, finishing in less than a second.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The drug provided almost ____ relief from the sharp pain that the patient had been feeling earlier.