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immediately

 - 2 dictionary results

im⋅me⋅di⋅ate⋅ly

[i-mee-dee-it-lee]
–adverb
1. without lapse of time; without delay; instantly; at once: Please telephone him immediately.
2. with no object or space intervening.
3. closely: immediately in the vicinity.
4. without intervening medium or agent; concerning or affecting directly.
–conjunction
5. Chiefly British. the moment that; as soon as.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME; see immediate, -ly


1. instantaneously, forthwith. Immediately, instantly, directly, presently were once close synonyms, all denoting complete absence of delay or any lapse of time. Immediately and instantly still almost always have that sense and usually mean at once: He got up immediately. She responded instantly to the request. Directly is usually equivalent to soon, in a little while rather than at once: You go ahead, we'll join you directly. Presently changes sense according to the tense of the verb with which it is used. With a present tense verb it usually means now, at the present time: The author presently lives in San Francisco. She is presently working on a new novel. In some contexts, especially those involving a contrast between the present and the near future, presently can mean soon or in a little while: She is at the office now but will be home presently.


1. later.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To immediately
im·me·di·ate·ly   (ĭ-mē'dē-ĭt-lē)   
adv.  
  1. Without delay.

  2. Without an intermediary; directly: met with the parties immediately involved in the suit.

conj.  As soon as; directly: They phoned immediately they reached home.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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