Immediacy: meaning, definitions and examples

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immediacy

 

[ ɪˈmiːdiəsi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

sense of time

The quality of being immediate in time or relation; immediateness. The state, condition, or quality of being immediate. The quality of bringing one into direct and instant involvement with something, giving rise to a sense of urgency or excitement.

Synonyms

closeness, proximity, urgency.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
immediacy

Immediacy refers to the quality of being immediate or happening right now. It is often used in situations where instant attention or action is required.

  • The immediacy of his response was impressive
urgency

Urgency implies something requiring immediate action or attention, often creating a sense of pressure or importance. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation due to the stress it may induce.

  • There was a sense of urgency in her voice when she called for help
closeness

Closeness usually describes a physical or emotional state of being near to someone or something. It is often used when talking about relationships or spatial distance.

  • Their closeness made them the best of friends
proximity

Proximity refers to the state of being near in space, time, or relationship. It is often used in formal or technical contexts.

  • The proximity of the school to their house is very convenient

Examples of usage

  • The immediacy of the situation demanded quick action.
  • She loved the immediacy of live performances.
Context #2 | Noun

communication

The quality of being direct, personal, and spontaneous in communication. The effect of a medium in creating a sense of presence or intimacy between sender and receiver.

Synonyms

directness, intimacy, spontaneity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
immediacy

This term is used to describe something happening or done at once, without delay. It's often used in emergency situations or to emphasize the urgency of a response.

  • The team responded with immediacy to the crisis
  • The immediacy of the reaction saved lives
directness

Directness refers to communication that is straightforward and clear, without any ambiguity. It's often used in professional or interpersonal contexts where clarity and honesty are important.

  • I appreciated his directness when giving feedback
  • Her directness made it easy to understand the problem
spontaneity

Spontaneity describes actions that are done without premeditation, prompted by natural impulse. It's often used in contexts where unexpected and unplanned activities or reactions are highlighted.

  • His spontaneity made every day an adventure
  • The spontaneity of their trip led to many unforgettable memories
intimacy

Intimacy is used to describe a close, familiar, and usually affectionate or loving personal relationship. It's generally used in contexts involving emotional closeness or romantic relationships.

  • Their intimacy grew over years of trust and understanding
  • The intimacy between them was evident in their shared looks

Examples of usage

  • The immediacy of a phone call is greater than that of an email.
  • Social media platforms provide a sense of immediacy in communication.

Translations

Translations of the word "immediacy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imediatismo

🇮🇳 तात्कालिकता

🇩🇪 Unmittelbarkeit

🇮🇩 segera

🇺🇦 невідкладність

🇵🇱 bezpośredniość

🇯🇵 即時性 (sokujisei)

🇫🇷 immédiateté

🇪🇸 inmediatez

🇹🇷 aciliyet

🇰🇷 즉시성 (jeuksiseong)

🇸🇦 الفورية

🇨🇿 bezprostřednost

🇸🇰 bezprostrednosť

🇨🇳 立即性 (lìjíxìng)

🇸🇮 neposrednost

🇮🇸 bráðabirgð

🇰🇿 жеделдік

🇬🇪 მიმდინარეობა

🇦🇿 təciliyyət

🇲🇽 inmediatez

Etymology

The word 'immediacy' originated in the late 16th century from the Latin word 'immediatus', which means 'not remote'. It has been used to describe the quality of being immediate or direct in various contexts, from sense of time to communication. The concept of immediacy has evolved over time, reflecting the changing ways in which humans perceive and interact with the world around them.

See also: immediately.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,484, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.