How to pronounce instant

Say it like this: /ˈɪnstənt/. Listen to real recordings below and compare how it sounds in different accents.

American/ˈɪnstənt/

What does instant mean?

nounA very short period of time; a moment.

“She paused for only an instant, which was just enough time for John to change the subject.”

A single, usually precise, point in time.

“Liftoff occurs the instant the bolts are released.”

A beverage or food which has been pre-processed to reduce preparation time, especially instant coffee.

adjImpending; imminent.

“Impending death is thine, and instant doom.”

Urgent; pressing; acute.

Insistent; persistent.

“January 2, 1827, Thomas Carlyle, letter to Mrs. Carlyle, Scotsbrig I am beginning to be very instant for some sort of occupation.”

advAt once; immediately.

“He left the room for his relinquished sword, / And Julia instant to the closet flew.”

verbTo urge, press (someone); to insist on, demand (something).

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inspectioninstallinstallationinstanceinsteadinstituteinstitutioninstruction

Pronunciations and meanings from Wiktionary via kaikki.org, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Recordings by Wikimedia Commons contributors. This page is shared under the same license.