Noun For an instant, I forgot where I was. The ride was over in an instant. Adjective The movie was an instant hit. He became an instant celebrity with the publication of his first novel. We got an instant response from the company. The Internet provides instant access to an enormous amount of information. Is this coffee instant or regular? See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The new electric car has been an instant hit with drivers since its launch this spring. Morgan Korn, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2022 Because death is but an instant whereas life is for eternity. Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 10 Aug. 2022 His quick quips and charisma were an instant hit with viewers, launching him to viral fame and securing his spot as a major influencer in our modern-day vernacular. Talia Smith, Allure, 20 July 2022 FBoy Island Season 1 was an instant hit for HBO Max, which at the time was still a relatively new streaming service. Milan Polk, Men's Health, 14 July 2022 Combining true crime, ghost stories, interior design, spirituality, and history—all while keeping a sense of humor and more than a touch of drama—Dark House was an instant hit with listeners around the world.House Beautiful, 13 July 2022 In an instant, Bush’s months of hard work vanished. Emily Corwin, ProPublica, 23 Aug. 2022 When the first explosions occurred in Mariupol on Feb. 24, their plans changed in an instant.Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Ericsson had been trailing Johnson by nearly 1.5 seconds at the time while sitting in 6th, and in an instant, the Indy 500 winner darted ahead of Johnson by a half-second. Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 25 July 2022
Adjective
Allergies to these ingredients aren't always instant. Parizaad Khan Sethi, Allure, 24 Aug. 2022 Corden's friend Dominic Cooper introduced the two at a Save the Children event — where Carey was working at the time — and the chemistry was instant. Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2022 But remembering that real change is never instant is an important mindset to maintain as more labels attempt to expand their size-inclusive offerings. Gianluca Russo, refinery29.com, 12 July 2022 Back then, communication was not nearly so instant, and the populace tended to see facts as absolute, rather than negotiable. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2022 The instant high torque of electric motors will leave all gasoline off-road vehicles in the dust. Brad Templeton, Forbes, 1 June 2022 Their chemistry was instant, and after Consuelos was hired to play Ripa's love interest on the daytime drama, their relationship turned romantic. Robin Raven, PEOPLE.com, 6 May 2022 Hill climbs are effortless and drama-free thanks to the instant, abundant torque at all four wheels. Derek Powell, Car and Driver, 21 Apr. 2022 Thanks to the instant torque from the electric motors, the vehicle is quick off the line. Laura Burstein, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin instant-, instans, from instant-, instans, adjective, instant, from Latin
Adjective
Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin instant-, instans, from present participle of instare to stand upon, urge, from in- + stare to stand — more at stand