instant

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
  2. noun a particular point in time
  3. adjective occurring with no delay

Etymology

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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

blink of an eye, flash, heartbeat, jiffy, split second, trice, twinkling, wink, New York minute

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