difference between the adverbs 'instantly' and 'instantaneously'

[Torsten]

Hi,

Is there any difference between the adverbs 'instantly' and 'instantaneously'?

Many thanks,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Jamie (K)]

Unless you're talking about physics, there's no real difference. In fact, my dictionary uses the word "instantly" to define "instantaneous".

[Tom]

Which one is a native speaker more likely to use?

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

I'd say "He died instantly".
Using instantaneously there would sound a little unusual to me.

Instantaneous sounds better to me in your second set of sentences.
.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English