l’emblée

The word "emblée" in French is an adverb meaning "at once," "immediately," or "right away." It is often used to express that something happened or was done without delay or from the very beginning.

Usage example:

• Il a refusé d'emblée.
  (He refused right away/immediately.)

Differences with synonyms:

• Tout de suite: Also means "immediately," but is more common and informal in spoken French.
• Dès le départ / Dès le début: Means "from the start" or "from the beginning," focusing on the very onset of an event or action.
• Sur-le-champ: Means "immediately" or "on the spot," often implying instant action.

"Emblée" is more formal or literary compared to "tout de suite" and often emphasizes the immediacy or instant nature of something happening right from the start without hesitation.

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In summary, "emblée" means doing or happening immediately or from the outset, with a slightly formal tone in comparison to more conversational synonyms.