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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › instant

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   The meaning of INSTANT is an infinitesimal space of time; especially : a point in time separating two states. How to use instant in a sentence.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › instant

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   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.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   INSTANT definition: 1. happening immediately, without any delay: 2. Instant food or drink is dried, usually in the…. Learn more.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › instant

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   n. 1. a very brief time; moment. 2. a particular moment or point in time: at the same instant. 3. on the instant immediately; without delay. adj. 4. immediate; instantaneous. 5. (Cookery) (esp of foods) prepared or designed for preparation with very little time and effort: instant coffee. 6. urgent or imperative.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   1. urgent; pressing. 2. soon to happen; imminent. 3. without delay; immediate. to demand instant obedience. 4. designating a food or beverage in readily soluble, concentrated, or precooked form, that can be prepared quickly, as by adding water.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryINSTANT | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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

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

   en.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › instant

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   Jun 16, 2024 · A single, usually precise, point in time. The instant the alarm went off, he fled the building. A beverage or food which has been pre- processed to reduce preparation time, especially instant coffee. Ellipsis of instant camera.

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

    www.yourdictionary.com › instant

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    Instant definition: A period of time so short as to be almost imperceptible.

11. www.dictionary.com › browse › instant'sINSTANT Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

    www.dictionary.com › browse › instant's

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    occurring, done, or prepared with a minimal amount of time and effort; produced rapidly and with little preparation: an instant book; instant answers; instant history. designed to act or produce results quickly or immediately: an instant lottery.