Definition of immediate

< immediacy

immediate constituent >

im·me·di·ate    (-md-t) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. Occurring at once; instant: gave me an immediate response.
2. 1. Of or near the present time: in the immediate future.
   2. Of or relating to the present time and place; current: "It is probable that, apart from the most immediate, pragmatic, technical revisions, the writer's effort to detach himself from his work is quixotic" (Joyce Carol Oates).
3. Close at hand; near: in the immediate vicinity. See Synonyms at close.
4. Next in line or relation: is an immediate successor to the president of the company.
5. Directly apprehended or perceived: had immediate awareness of the scope of the crisis.
6. Acting or occurring without the interposition of another agency or object; direct.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English immediat, from Old French, from Late Latin immeditus : Latin in-, not ; see in-¹ + Latin meditus, past participle of medire, to be in the middle ; see mediate

OTHER FORMS:
im·medi·ate·ness(Noun)