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Instant vs Impromptu - What's the difference?

instant | impromptu |

As nouns the difference between instant and impromptu

is that instant is a very short period of time; a moment while impromptu is (music) a short musical composition for an informal occasion often with the character of improvisation and usually to be played solo.

As adjectives the difference between instant and impromptu

is that instant is (dated) impending; imminent while impromptu is improvised; without prior preparation, planning or rehearsal; extemporaneous; unplanned.

As an adverb instant

is (poetic) at once; immediately.

instant

English

Alternative forms

* instaunt (obsolete)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) . More at (l), (l).

Noun

(en noun)
  • A 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.
  • * The instant the alarm went off, he fled the building.
  • An instant beverage or food, especially instant coffee.
  • A day of the current month (abbreviated as : )
  • * In response to your letter of the twenty-first instant...

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) and (etyl) instant, from (etyl) ; see state.

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (dated) Impending; imminent.
  • * Prior
    • Impending death is thine, and instant doom.
  • (dated) Urgent; pressing; acute.
  • * Bible, Rom. xii. 12
    • Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.
  • * Carlyle
    • I am beginning to be very instant for some sort of occupation.
  • Occurring immediately; immediate; present.
  • * Fuller
    • The instant time is always the fittest time.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1905, author=
    • , title= , chapter=2 citation , passage=No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict ; he had often threatened any one of his employés with instant dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts.}}
  • Lasting for a short moment; momentary; short-lived.
  • Very quickly and easily prepared.
    • instant coffee
  • Of the current month (abbreviation inst.).
  • * “I refer to your letter of the 16th inst. in regard to traffic disruption”
    • Derived terms
    * instantize, instantise * instantly * instant replay
    Related terms
    * instakill * instance

    Adverb

    (-)
  • (poetic) At once; immediately.
  • * 1819 , Lord Byron, Don Juan , I.182:
    • He left the room for his relinquished sword, / And Julia instant to the closet flew.

    Related terms

    * inst * instance * instancy * instantaneous * instantaneously * instanter * instantial * instantiate * instantly

    Statistics

    * ----

    impromptu

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Improvised; without prior preparation, planning or rehearsal; extemporaneous; unplanned.
    • The party began with an impromptu rendition of 'Happy Birthday'.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (music) a short musical composition for an informal occasion often with the character of improvisation and usually to be played solo.
  • any composition, musical or otherwise, that is created on the spot without preparation.