instantly

1 of 2

adverb

in·​stant·​ly ˈin(t)-stənt-lē 

1

: without the least delay : immediately

2

: with importunity : urgently

instantly

2 of 2

conjunction

: as soon as

he ran across the grass instantly he perceived his mother

—W. M. Thackeray

Synonyms

Adverb

• bang
• directly
• forthwith
• headlong
• immediately
• incontinently
• instantaneously
• instanter
• now
• PDQ
• plumb
• presently
• promptly
• pronto
• right
• right away
• right now
• right off
• straight off
• straightaway
• straightway

Conjunction

• as soon as
• immediately [chiefly British]
• once
• when

Examples of instantly in a Sentence

Adverb

His voice is instantly recognizable.

They instantly fell in love.

She was killed instantly when her car hit a tree.

Conjunction

we realized there would be problems instantly we saw the final report

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Luckily, just in time, Nick whispers the one word in the (British) English language that instantly turns back the clock. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

Harris instantly reset the terms of the contest with Trump. —Matt Brown, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2024

Her warning to voters, and especially male voters, of what might happen to women across the country if Trump is elected president was instantly memorialized by a wave of Instagram posts and countless news reports. —Gabby Shacknai, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

With over 3,500 stylish attendees, Impulse used its technology to connect guests with their personal event content instantly. —Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from instant instant entry 2 + -ly -ly entry 2

Conjunction

derivative of instantly entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Conjunction

1793, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

instantly

adverb

in·​stant·​ly

ˈin(t)-stənt-lē

: without delay : immediately

came instantly when I called