immediate

UK: /ɪˈmiːdiət/ US: /ɪˈmidiɪt/ ,(i mē′dē it)

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

im•me•di•ate /ɪˈmidiɪt/   adj. [before a noun]

1. occurring or done without delay:
   an immediate reply.
2. having no object or space in between:
   lives in the immediate vicinity.
3. with nothing coming between to interfere;
   direct:
   an immediate cause.
4. of or relating to the present time:
   What are your immediate plans?
5. very close in relationship:
   My immediate family consists of my wife, children, father, and sisters.

See -medi-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•me•di•ate  (i mē′dē it), adj. 

1. occurring or accomplished without delay;
   instant:
   an immediate reply.
2. following or preceding without a lapse of time:
   the immediate future.
3. having no object or space intervening;
   nearest or next:
   in the immediate vicinity.
4. of or pertaining to the present time or moment:
   our immediate plans.
5. without intervening medium or agent;
   direct:
   an immediate cause.
6. having a direct bearing:
   immediate consideration.
7. very close in relationship:
   my immediate family.
8. Philosophy directly intuited.

• Medieval Latin immediātus. See im-², mediate (adjective, adjectival)
• 1525–35

im•me′di•ate•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. instantaneous.
• 3. close, proximate.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

immediate / ɪˈmiːdɪət/ adjective (usually prenominal)

1. taking place or accomplished without delay: an immediate reaction
2. closest or most direct in effect or relationship: the immediate cause of his downfall
3. having no intervening medium; direct in effect: an immediate influence
4. contiguous in space, time, or relationship: our immediate neighbour
5. present; current: the immediate problem is food
6. of or relating to an object or concept that is directly known or intuited

Etymology: 16th Century: from Medieval Latin immediātus, from Latin im- (not) + mediāre to be in the middle; see mediate

imˈmediacy, imˈmediateness noun