Instant
'ɪnstənt
Definitions
2 meaningsOccurring or done at once; immediate.
'ɪnstənt
Happening or done immediately; without any delay.
The store offered instant rebates on several items.
💡 Simply: Imagine you get a text message. When you read it, that's an instant reaction. Something that happens right away without waiting.
👶 For kids: Happening right now, like when you press a button and something starts right away!
More Examples
She felt an instant connection with him.
The problem requires an instant solution.
How It's Used
"He made an instant decision."
"The system provides instant feedback."
A precise or brief moment of time; a second.
'ɪnstənt
A particular moment of time.
He responded in an instant.
💡 Simply: An instant is just a really, really quick moment, like when you blink your eyes. It's almost like a flash of time.
👶 For kids: A really, really, really short time, like when you snap your fingers!
More Examples
The whole incident happened in a matter of instants.
The decision was made in an instant.
How It's Used
"I'll be there in an instant."
"The instant was filled with anticipation."
Idioms & expressions
in an instant
Immediately; very quickly.
"He solved the puzzle in an instant."
From Latin *instans*, present participle of *instare* 'to stand upon, be urgent'. It evolved to denote immediate action or time.
Used since the 15th century, initially referring to immediate action or urgency, and later gaining the sense of a very short period of time.
Memory tip
Think of an instant coffee – ready in a second!
Word Origin
"present participle of *instare* 'to stand upon, be urgent'"