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UK [ɪˈmiːdɪət] / US [ɪˈmɪdɪət] adjective
1) happening or done now, without any delay

Our government must take immediate action.

The rebels demanded the immediate release of the prisoners.

Restrictions on advertising had an immediate impact on rates of teenage smoking.

with immediate effect (= starting now):

I handed in my resignation, with immediate effect.

a) your immediate reaction to something is the first thing you think, feel, or do when it happens

My immediate response was to say yes.

The announcement brought immediate denunciation from environmental bodies.

b) existing now and needing urgent action

There doesn't seem to be any immediate danger.

The French threat was the most immediate and damaging.

c) [only before noun] existing in the period of time directly before or after an event

in the immediate prewar period

immediate aftermath:

terrible pictures of the immediate aftermath of the earthquake

the immediate future:

The two men have different plans for the immediate future.

2) [only before noun] immediate aims, wishes, or needs are of the greatest importance and are dealt with first

Our immediate aim is to qualify for next year's finals.

3) [only before noun] someone in an immediate relationship to you is closely connected to you

She is my immediate superior (= the person directly in charge of me).

members of the President's immediate entourage

immediate family (= your parents, children, brothers, and sisters):

People who have immediate family on the plane are asked to contact this number.

4) [only before noun] next to a place or person, or a very small distance away from them
immediate vicinity (= area):

There are several pleasant walks in the immediate vicinity.

immediate predecessor/successor — the person who comes directly before or after you in a particular job or relationship

a decision made by his immediate predecessor at the Foreign Office


English dictionary. 2014.

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