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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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   Learn the meaning of instant as an adjective and a noun, with synonyms, related words and phrases, and usage examples. Find out how to use instant in different contexts, such as business, food, and time.

   • English (US)

     INSTANT meaning: 1. happening immediately, without any...

   • Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

     INSTANT definition: 1. happening immediately: 2. Instant...

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › instant

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   Learn the noun and adjective meanings of instant, as well as its synonyms, examples, and word history. Find out how to use instant in a sentence and how it differs from related words like instantaneous and instant messaging.

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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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation, synonyms, and usage of the word 'instant' in British and American English. Find out how to use 'instant' as a noun, adjective, adverb, or abbreviation in different contexts and sentences.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › instant

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   Instant can be a noun, adjective, or adverb meaning a very short time, a particular moment, or occurring at once. It can also refer to a food or beverage prepared for quick consumption, or a current or urgent matter.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   Learn the meaning of instant as an adjective and a noun, with synonyms and translations in different languages. Find out how to use instant to describe something that happens immediately or is a type of food or drink.