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Definition immediate in British English

immediate adjective

adjective
/ɪˈmiːdiət/
1

happening or done now, without any delay

Example

Our government must take immediate action.

Example

The rebels demanded the immediate release of the prisoners.

Example

Restrictions on advertising had an immediate impact on rates of teenage smoking.

Example

I handed in my resignation, with immediate effect.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

your immediate reaction to something is the first thing you think, feel, or do when it happens

Example

My immediate response was to say yes.

Example

The announcement brought immediate denunciation from environmental bodies.

Synonyms and related words
Example

There doesn't seem to be any immediate danger.

Example

The French threat was the most immediate and damaging.

Synonyms and related words
1.3

existing in the period of time directly before or after an event

Example

in the immediate prewar period

Example

terrible pictures of the immediate aftermath of the earthquake

Example

The two men have different plans for the immediate future.

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2

immediate aims, wishes, or needs are of the greatest importance and are dealt with first

Example

Our immediate aim is to qualify for next year's finals.

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3

someone in an immediate relationship to you is closely connected to you

Example

She is my immediate superior (=the person directly in charge of me).

Example

members of the President's immediate entourage

Example

People who have immediate family on the plane are asked to contact this number.

4

next to a place or person, or a very small distance away from them

Example

There are several pleasant walks in the immediate vicinity.

Synonyms and related words
Definition immediate in British English