instantly

1 of 2

adverb

in·​stant·​ly ˈin(t)-stənt-lē How to pronounce instantly (audio)
1
: without the least delay : immediately
2
: with importunity : urgently

instantly

2 of 2

conjunction

: as soon as
he ran across the grass instantly he perceived his motherW. M. Thackeray

Examples of instantly in a Sentence

Adverb His voice is instantly recognizable. They instantly fell in love. She was killed instantly when her car hit a tree. Conjunction we realized there would be problems instantly we saw the final report
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
In the first round, Joshua felled his opponent with a lethal straight right hand and instantly seized control in the Saudi capital. Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 This means that any winnings from the bonus can be withdrawn instantly without having to meet any playthrough requirements. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Locals can instantly tell when someone is chasing dollars over deliciousness, and word spreads fast (whether positive or negative), especially online—see Facebook groups like the Fraternal Order of Hot Chicken. Timothy Charles Davis, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2024 Tandon designed it and recruited a painter who makes signs for Indian trucks (which are often decorated with vibrant, instantly recognizable floral prints). Vrinda Jagota, SPIN, 7 Mar. 2024 But even Farrelly’s usual sweet-natured generosity toward his characters can’t sell the contorted way the ruse is inevitably exposed and instantly forgiven. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 Throughout the 25 years since the actresses starred in Cruel Intentions — a movie that featured an instantly iconic locking of lips between two female costars — the friends have reenacted the moment several times. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Its thick, 100% Turkish cotton material soaks up water instantly and can be thrown in your washer and dryer to prevent any mildew or odors. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 4 Mar. 2024 That was in 2011, when a fresh-faced 20-year-old Lawrence wowed us in her instantly classic red form-fitting Calvin Klein gown. Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instantly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from instant instant entry 2 + -ly -ly entry 2

Conjunction

derivative of instantly entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Conjunction

1793, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of instantly was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near instantly

Cite this Entry

“Instantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instantly. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

instantly

adverb
in·​stant·​ly
ˈin(t)-stənt-lē
: without delay : immediately
came instantly when I called

More from Merriam-Webster on instantly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!