French Conversation · Level 157
30 words
French word
illico
Pronunciation
IPA/iliko/
Meaning
- adverbright away
Example
Viens illico !
Come right away!
More examples
Je reviens illico.
I'm coming back right away.
Core concept
A person moves the instant a signal arrives, with no pause between cue and action.
Common phrases
venir illico
come right away
partir illico
leave right away
arriver illico
arrive right away
Similar words
tout de suite: Immediately, without leaving the spot.
immédiatement: Without any delay.
aussitôt: Just after something happens.
Definition in French
Indique qu'une action se produit immédiatement, sans délai, proche de « tout de suite ».
Word origin
French illico comes from Latin illico, meaning 'on the spot', and retains that sense of immediate action in familiar French.
Usage tips
- Illico is familiar and can sound brisk in an urgent request, while immédiatement is more suitable in formal speech.
Opposites
- tardlateadverb
- plus tardlateradverb