instant gratification

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The desire or act of getting pleasure or satisfaction immediately, without waiting or working for it.

   Grammar: Uncountable: no plural and no 'a/an' before it. You can say 'a need for instant gratification'.

   Patterns

   • instant gratification from something
   • a need for instant gratification
   • seek instant gratification

   Social media encourages instant gratification.

   He craves instant gratification and never plans for the future.

   The app is designed to give users instant gratification.

2. 2noununcountabledisapproving

   A strong preference for quick rewards over long-term benefits, often seen as a lack of self-control.

   Grammar: Often used in psychology and self-help contexts, frequently with a disapproving tone.

   Patterns

   • a culture of instant gratification
   • the problem of instant gratification
   • delay instant gratification

   Many people struggle to delay instant gratification.

   A culture of instant gratification can make saving money difficult.

   Psychologists study how children learn to resist instant gratification.

Common combinations

instant gratification from

She gets instant gratification from online shopping.

seek instant gratification

They seek instant gratification rather than lasting happiness.

a culture of instant gratification

Critics blame a culture of instant gratification for rising debt.

delay instant gratification

Learning to delay instant gratification is key to success.

crave instant gratification

Young children often crave instant gratification.

Synonyms and how they differ

immediate satisfaction

Similar meaning but more neutral; it does not carry the same critical tone about lack of patience.

short-term pleasure

Focuses on the pleasure itself rather than the desire for it; often used in contrast to long-term goals.

Opposites

Word family

gratify verb

To satisfy a desire or wish.

gratification noun

The state of being pleased or satisfied.

gratifying adjective

Giving pleasure or satisfaction.

Commonly confused: instant gratification or instantaneous?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “instant gratification”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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