instant Meaning & Definition
What Does Instant Mean?
As a noun, instant means A very short period of time; a moment. It can also mean A single, usually precise, point in time. As an adjective, it means Impending; imminent. As an adverb, it means At once; immediately.
Word Facts for Instant
| Part of speech | noun, adjective, adverb, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈɪnstənt// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | imperative, exigent and insistent |
| Plural | instants |
| Verb forms | instants, instanting, instanted |
Instant Definition (Noun)
- A very short period of time; a moment.
She paused for only an instant, which was just enough time for John to change the subject.
- 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.
Instant as an Adjective
- Impending; imminent.
- Urgent; pressing; acute.
- Insistent; persistent.
- Present; current; extant.
- Occurring immediately; immediate; present.
- Lasting for a short moment; momentary; short-lived.
- Very quickly and easily prepared.
instant coffee; instant noodles; instant mashed potato; instant photo
- Of the current month.
I refer to your letter of the 16th instant in regard to traffic disruption.
Instant as an Adverb
- At once; immediately.
Noun
- instant camera
Instant as a Verb
- To urge, press (someone); to insist on, demand (something).
Noun
- A camera that uses self-developing film to create a chemically developed print shortly after the photograph is taken.
Synonyms of Instant
Antonyms of Instant
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Instant in a Sentence
She paused for only an instant, which was just enough time for John to change the subject.
The instant the alarm went off, he fled the building.
Liftoff occurs the instant the bolts are released.
instant coffee; instant noodles; instant mashed potato; instant photo
I refer to your letter of the 16th instant in regard to traffic disruption.
Word Forms & Grammar
instant (plural instants)
instant (not comparable)
instant (third-person singular simple present instants, present participle instanting, simple past and past participle instanted)
Origin of Instant
Origin 1: From Middle English instant (“infinitely short period of time”), from Old French instant (“assiduous, at hand”, adjective), from Latin īnstāns, īnstantis (“present, pressing, urgent”, literally “standing near”), present active participle of īnstō (“to stand upon, be nearby”), from in- (“after”) + stō (“to stand”). Compare Old English instede (“immediately, on the spot, at once”). More at in, stand.
Origin 2: From French instant and Middle English instant, both from Old French, from Latin instans (“standing by, being near, present, also urgent, importunate”), present participle of instō (“to stand upon, press upon, urge, pursue, insist”), from in (“on, upon”) + stō (“to stand”); see state.
Origin 3: Ellipsis of instant camera.
Origin 4: Ultimately from Latin īnstāre; its precise evolution is uncertain. OED hints at (unattested) Middle French *instanter.
How to Pronounce Instant
You say instant as //ˈɪnstənt//. It has 1 syllable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant
Is instant a noun or an adjective?
Instant is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective, an adverb and a verb.
What is another word for instant?
Words with a similar meaning to instant include imperative, exigent and insistent. See the full list of instant synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of instant?
The plural of instant is instants.
What is the past tense of instant?
The past tense of instant is instanted. The present participle is instanting.