Meaning of instant in English | Powered by Free Dictionary API

noun

• A very short period of time; a moment.

  Example: She paused for only an instant, which was just enough time for John to change the subject.

• A single, usually precise, point in time.

  Example: 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.

noun

• A camera that uses self-developing film to create a chemically developed print shortly after the photograph is taken.

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.

  Example: instant coffee; instant noodles; instant mashed potato; instant photo

• Of the current month.

  Example: I refer to your letter of the 16th instant in regard to traffic disruption.

adverb

• At once; immediately.