instant

UK: /ˈɪnstənt/ US: /ˈɪnstənt/ ,(in′stənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•stant /ˈɪnstənt/   n. 

1. a very short space of time;
   moment:
   [countable] In an instant they were whisked away.
2. the point of time now present:
   [countable] Come here this instant!
3. a particular moment:
   [countable] at the instant of contact.
4. an instant beverage, esp. instant coffee:
   [uncountable] I don't mind a cup of instant if you've got it.

adj. 

5. happening without any interval of time;
   immediate:
   instant relief.
6. pressing or urgent:
   instant need.
7. (of a food or beverage) specially made so as to require very little time and effort to prepare:
   Just add boiling water to the instant coffee.
8. appearing rapidly and with little preparation:
   [before a noun] no instant answers to these problems.

adv. 

9. instantly.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•stant  (in′stənt), n. 

1. an infinitesimal or very short space of time;
   a moment:
   They arrived not an instant too soon.
2. the point of time now present or present with reference to some action or event.
3. a particular moment:
   at the instant of contact.
4. a food or beverage, esp. coffee, specially processed for quick preparation.
5. Slang Terms [Older Use.] the present or current month.

adj. 

6. succeeding without any interval of time;
   prompt;
   immediate:
   instant relief from a headache.
7. pressing or urgent:
   instant need.
8. noting a food or beverage requiring a minimal amount of time and effort to prepare, as by heating or the addition of milk or water, before being served or used:
   instant coffee; instant pudding.
9. occurring, done, or prepared with a minimal amount of time and effort;
   produced rapidly and with little preparation:
   an instant book;
   instant answers;
   instant history.
10. designed to act or produce results quickly or immediately:
    an instant lottery.
11. Slang Terms [Older Use.] of the present month:
    your letter of the 12th instant. Abbr.:
    inst. Cf. proximo, ultimo.
12. present;
    current:
    the instant case before the court.

adv. 

13. instantly.

• Latin instant- (stem of instāns) present participle of instāre to be present, urgent, equivalent. to in- in-² + -stā- stand + -nt- present participle suffix
• 1350–1400; 1910–15; for def. 8; Middle English

Synonyms

• 1. second, twinkling, flash, jiffy, trice. See minute ¹.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

instant / ˈɪnstənt/ noun

1. a very brief time; moment
2. a particular moment or point in time: at the same instant
3. on the instant ⇒ immediately; without delay

adjective

1. immediate; instantaneous
2. (esp of foods) prepared or designed for preparation with very little time and effort: instant coffee
3. urgent or imperative
4. (postpositive)(when abbreviated in formal correspondence) of the present month: a letter of the 7th instant
   Abbreviation: inst
   Compare proximo, ultimo

adverb

1. a poetic word for instantly

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin instāns, from instāre to be present, press closely, from in-² + stāre to stand