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1. Dictionary

   in·stant

   /ˈinst(ə)nt/

   adjective

   • 1. happening or coming immediately: "the offense justified instant dismissal" Similar immediateinstantaneouson-the-spotpromptdirectswiftspeedyrapidquickexpeditiousexpresslightningsuddenprecipitateabruptinformal:snappyp.d.q. (pretty damn quick)literary:fleetratherare:alacritousOpposite delayedlong-term
   • ▪ prepared quickly and with little effort: "we can't promise instant solutions"
   • ▪ (of food) processed to allow quick preparation: "instant coffee" Similar pre-preparedready preparedready mixedprecookedfasteasy/quick to prepareeasy/quick to makemicrowaveableconvenienceTV
   • ▪ (of a person) becoming a specified thing immediately or very suddenly: "become an instant millionaire"
   • 2. urgent; pressing: dated "an instant desire to blame others when things go wrong"
   • 3. (in business letters) of the current month: dated "your letter of the 6th instant"
   • 4. of the present moment. archaic

   noun

   • 1. a precise moment of time: "come here this instant!" Similar momenttimepoint in timemoment in timeminutesecondhourstagephasejuncturepoint
   • 2. a very short space of time; a moment: "for an instant the moon disappeared" Similar short timelittle whilebitmomentminutesecondsplit secondtricetwinklingtwinkling of an eyeflash(less than) no timeno time at allinformal:secnanosecondjiffyjifftwo shakes of a lamb's tailthe blink of an eyemotwo tickssnapOpposite eternity
   • 3. instant coffee. informal

   Word Origin late Middle English (in instant (sense 2 of the adjective, sense 3 of the adjective, sense 4 of the adjective)): via Old French from Latin instant- ‘being at hand’, from the verb instare, from in- ‘in, at’ + stare ‘to stand’.

   Scrabble Points: 7

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishINSTANT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   a very short moment of time, or a particular point in time:

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › instantInstant Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › instant

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   1. : produced or occurring with or as if with extreme rapidity and ease. 2. : immediate, direct. the play was an instant success. 3. a(1)

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › instantINSTANT Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › instant

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   noun. an infinitesimal or very short space of time; a moment: They arrived not an instant too soon. Synonyms: trice, jiffy, flash, twinkling, second. the point of time now present or present with reference to some action or event. a particular moment: at the instant of contact.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › instantInstant - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › instant

   An instant is a very short time. In combinations like instant coffee and instant replay it means available right away without a wait.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishINSTANT definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   If you say that something happens at a particular instant, you mean that it happens at exactly the time you have been referring to, and you are usually suggesting that it happens quickly or immediately.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › instantInstant - definition of instant by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › instant

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   1. Occurring at once; immediate: instant gratification. 2. Imperative; urgent: an instant need. 3. Now under consideration; present. 4. a. Commercially prepared or processed for quick and easy final preparation: an instant cake mix. b.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishINSTANT | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   INSTANT definition: 1. happening immediately: 2. Instant food or drink is dried, usually in the form of a powder, and…. Learn more.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishinstant noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Definition of instant noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

10. en.wiktionary.org › wiki › instantinstant - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

    en.wiktionary.org › wiki › instant

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    Jun 16, 2024 · A very short period of time; a moment . She paused for only an instant, which was just enough time for John to change the subject. 1905, Lord Dunsany [ i.e., Edward Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany], The Gods of Pegāna, London: [ Charles] Elkin Mathews, [ …], →OCLC, page 76: Thy life is long, Eternity is short.

11. www.yourdictionary.com › instantInstant Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

    www.yourdictionary.com › instant

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    From Middle English instant (“infinitely short period of time”), from Old French instant (“assiduous, at hand”, adj ), from Latin instans, instant- (“present, pressing, urgent”, literally “standing near”), from in + stāre (“to stand”).