instantaneous
gb/ˌɪnstəntˈæniəs/ us/ˌɪnstəntˈæniəs/
C1
English
azonnali, pillanatszerű, pillanatnyi
C1
1
azonnali
B1
Usage pattern:
instantaneous [reply/response/decision/effect]
We got an instantaneous reply to our email.
Az e-mailünkre szinte azonnal választ kaptunk.
The new software provides instantaneous feedback as you type.
Az új szoftver gépelés közben azonnali visszajelzést ad.
There was an instantaneous silence after his comment.
Learner examples
Her answer was instantaneous.
A válasza azonnali volt.
The medicine had an instantaneous effect.
A gyógyszernek azonnali hatása volt.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with instant (a noun/adjective meaning ‘very quick’); instantaneous is mainly an adjective and sounds more formal.
Meaning
happening immediately, without delay
Collocations
instantaneous response
|instantaneous reply
|instantaneous feedback
|instantaneous decision
|instantaneous effect
|instantaneous results
|instantaneous communication
|instantaneous access
|instantaneous transmission
|instantaneous approval
Synonyms
immediate (More common and less formal.)
|
instant (More informal; often used before nouns (e.g., instant answer).)
Antonyms
delayed (Happening later than expected or needed.)
|
gradual (Happening slowly over time rather than right away.)
Themes
time
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
happening right away
Happening or produced immediately, with no noticeable delay after a cause or request.
C1
2
azonnali
B1
Usage pattern:
instantaneous [change/movement/shift/transition]
The power cut caused an instantaneous shutdown of the machines.
Az áramszünet a gépek azonnali leállását okozta.
His expression changed in an almost instantaneous way.
Az arckifejezése szinte egy pillanat alatt megváltozott.
The car came to an instantaneous stop.
Learner examples
The change was instantaneous.
A változás egy pillanat alatt ment végbe.
The light was instantaneous.
A fény csak egy pillanatra villant fel.
Common mistake:
Instantaneous does not mean ‘temporary’; it means ‘very fast’ or ‘at once’.
Meaning
lasting only a very short time
Collocations
instantaneous change
|instantaneous movement
|instantaneous shift
|instantaneous transition
|instantaneous stop
|instantaneous acceleration
|instantaneous collapse
|instantaneous transformation
|instantaneous flash
|instantaneous burst
Synonyms
momentary (Emphasizes very short duration, not necessarily cause-and-effect immediacy.)
|
rapid (Can be fast but not necessarily ‘in an instant’.)
Antonyms
slow (Taking a long time.)
|
prolonged (Continuing for a long time.)
Themes
time
|science
|daily_life
Definition
very fast; happening in a moment
So fast or brief that it seems to happen in a single moment.
C2
TECHNICAL
3
pillanatnyi
B2
Usage pattern:
instantaneous [speed/velocity/rate/current]
The graph shows the instantaneous rate of change at each point.
A grafikon minden pontban a pillanatnyi változási sebességet mutatja.
Instantaneous power varies throughout the cycle.
A pillanatnyi teljesítmény a ciklus során változik.
The sensor records instantaneous voltage and current.
Learner examples
Instantaneous speed is the speed at one moment.
A pillanatnyi sebesség az egy adott pillanatban mért sebesség.
Common mistake:
In technical contexts, instantaneous does not mean ‘very fast’; it means ‘at that exact moment’.
Meaning
at a specific moment in time
Collocations
instantaneous speed
|instantaneous velocity
|instantaneous rate
|instantaneous acceleration
|instantaneous frequency
|instantaneous power
|instantaneous current
|instantaneous value
|instantaneous measurement
|instantaneous reading
Synonyms
point-in-time (Explains the idea; not a common single-word synonym.)
Antonyms
average (Calculated over a period of time rather than at a single moment.)
|
cumulative (Built up over time.)
Themes
science
|math
|technology
Definition
measured at one exact time
In science and mathematics, measured or considered at one particular moment rather than over a period of time.
Grammar
Dictionary form
instantaneous
IPA
GB/ˌɪnstəntˈæniəs/
US/ˌɪnstəntˈæniəs/
Syllables & stress
in - stant - an - eous (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (an)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: instantaneous
Word family
Core family
Expressions
instantaneous combustion
1/ˌɪnstəntˈæniəs kəmbˈʌst͡ʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
rapid burning that starts suddenly
sudden burning that starts quickly
Examples
- The report discussed the risk of instantaneous combustion in dust-filled rooms.
- Some fine powders can ignite through friction and lead to instantaneous combustion.
instantaneous rate of change
1/ˌɪnstəntˈæniəs ɹˈeɪt əv t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
change at one exact moment
how fast something changes at one moment
Examples
- The instantaneous rate of change is the slope of the tangent line to the curve.
- We computed the instantaneous rate of change at t = 2 seconds.
instantaneous velocity
1/ˌɪnstəntˈæniəs vəlˈɑsəti/
fixed phrase
technical
speed at an exact moment
the speed and direction at one moment
Examples
- In calculus, you can find instantaneous velocity by taking the derivative of position.
- The instrument estimates instantaneous velocity from successive position readings.