/ ɪˈmiːdiət; NAmE / adjective
1.
happening or done without delay
SYN instant :
an immediate reaction / response
to take immediate action
2.
[ usually before noun ] existing now and needing urgent attention :
Our immediate concern is to help the families of those who died.
The effects of global warming, while not immediate, are potentially catastrophic.
The hospital says she's out of immediate danger .
3.
[ only before noun ] next to or very close to a particular place or time :
in the immediate vicinity
The prospects for the immediate future are good.
The director is standing on her immediate right.
my immediate predecessor in the job (= the person who had the job just before me)
4.
[ only before noun ] nearest in relationship or rank :
The funeral was attended by her immediate family (= her parents, children, brothers and sisters) only.
He is my immediate superior (= the person directly above me) in the company.
5.
[ only before noun ] having a direct effect :
The immediate cause of death is unknown.
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IDIOMS
see effect noun
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense nearest in space or order ): from Old French immediat , or from late Latin immediatus , from in- not + mediatus intervening, past participle of mediare , from Latin medius middle.