What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
instantaneously
Example
The car stopped instantaneously when the driver hit the brakes. [instantaneously: adverb]
Example
The magician made the rabbit disappear instantaneously. [instantaneously: adverb]
immediately
Example
Please call me back immediately when you get this message. [immediately: adverb]
Example
The doctor attended to the patient immediately after they arrived at the hospital. [immediately: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Immediately is more commonly used than instantaneously in everyday language. Immediately is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while instantaneously is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between instantaneously and immediately?
Instantaneously is more formal than immediately. It is typically used in academic or technical writing, while immediately is used in both formal and informal contexts.