Added 9 October 2026
instant
/ˈɪnstənt/ noun
Latin root: īnstāns Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about instant at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
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.
adjective
adverb
- At once; immediately.
noun
- instant camera
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)