/i mee"dee it lee/ , adv.
1. without lapse of time; without delay; instantly; at once: Please telephone him immediately.
2. with no object or space intervening.
3. closely: immediately in the vicinity.
4. without intervening medium or agent; concerning or affecting directly.
conj.
5. Chiefly Brit. the moment that; as soon as.
[ 1375-1425; late ME; see IMMEDIATE, -LY ]
Syn. 1. instantaneously, forthwith. IMMEDIATELY, INSTANTLY, DIRECTLY, PRESENTLY were once close synonyms, all denoting complete absence of delay or any lapse of time. IMMEDIATELY and INSTANTLY still almost always have that sense and usually mean at once: He got up immediately. She responded instantly to the request. DIRECTLY is usually equivalent to soon, in a little while rather than at once: You go ahead, we'll join you directly.
PRESENTLY changes sense according to the tense of the verb with which it is used. With a present tense verb it usually means now, at the present time: The author presently lives in San Francisco. She is presently working on a new novel. In some contexts, especially those involving a contrast between the present and the near future, PRESENTLY can mean soon or in a little while: She is at the office now but will be home presently.
Ant. 1. later.