instance
pronunciation
How to pronounce instance in British English:
UK [ˈɪnstəns]
How to pronounce instance in American English:
US [ˈɪnstəns]
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- Noun:
- an occurrence of something
- an item of information that is representative of a type
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- Verb:
- clarify by giving an example of
Word Origin
- instance (n.)
- mid-14c., "urgency," from Old French instance "eagerness, anxiety, solicitation" (13c.), from Latin instantia "presence, effort intention; earnestness, urgency," literally "a standing near," from instans (see instant). In Scholastic logic, "a fact or example" (early 15c.), from Medieval Latin instantia, used to translate Greek enstasis. This led to use in phrase for instance "as an example" (1650s), and the noun phrase To give (someone) a for instance (1953, American English).
Synonym
Example
- 1. Call it an instance of the butterfly effect .
- 2. Take the iphone or the latest nokia lumia for instance .
- 3. But the debt-ceiling impasse is only one instance .
- 4. In another instance , procrastination is a bad habit .
- 5. The first recorded instance of a government debt default occurred in greece .