instant meaning and definition

INSTANT noun

Definition of instant (noun)

1. a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
   • "if I had the chance I'd do it in a flash"
   • synonyms: blink of an eye, flash, heartbeat, jiffy, New York minute, split second, trice, twinkling, wink
2. a particular point in time
   • "the moment he arrived the party began"
   • synonyms: minute, moment, second

INSTANT adjective

Definition of instant (adjective)

1. occurring with no delay
   • "relief was instantaneous"; "instant gratification"
   • synonyms: instantaneous
2. in or of the present month
   • "your letter of the 10th inst"
   • synonyms: inst
3. demanding attention
   • "clamant needs"; "a crying need"; "regarded literary questions as exigent and momentous"- H.L.Mencken; "insistent hunger"; "an instant need"
   • synonyms: clamant, crying, exigent, insistent