adj
instant
IHNS-tuhnt
adj
1
Happening right away, with no delay.
"The medicine brought instant relief from the headache."
"It was instant chemistry between them from the first meeting."
2
Quick and easy to prepare, especially food or drink made by just adding water.
"She made a cup of instant coffee before the meeting."
"Instant noodles are cheap, fast, and surprisingly filling."
noun
1
A single very short moment in time.
"For an instant, she thought she saw someone in the doorway."
How to Use Instant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappening immediately, or (for food) quick to make.
Common mistake
As an adjective before food/drink nouns ("instant coffee", "instant noodles") it means pre-processed for fast preparation, not just "fast".
Common pairings
instant relief
instant coffee
instant success
for an instant
Word Forms
instanted past tense, instants singular
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Etymology
From Old French instant, from Latin instans ("standing near, pressing, urgent"), the present participle of instare, "to stand upon or press upon" — from in- ("on") + stare ("to stand").