imperative

[ im-per-uh-tiv ]

adjective

1. absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable:

   It is imperative that we leave.

   Synonyms: compelling, exigent, essential, indispensable, inescapable

2. of the nature of or expressing a command; commanding.
3. Grammar. noting or pertaining to the mood of the verb used in commands, requests, etc., as in Listen! Go! Compare indicative ( def 2 ), subjunctive ( def 1 ).

noun

1. a command.
2. something that demands attention or action; an unavoidable obligation or requirement; necessity:

   It is an imperative that we help defend friendly nations.

3. Grammar.
   1. the imperative mood.
   2. a verb in this mood.
4. an obligatory statement, principle, or the like.

imperative

/ ɪmˈpɛrətɪv /

adjective

1. extremely urgent or important; essential
2. peremptory or authoritative

   an imperative tone of voice

3. Alsoimperativalɪmˌpɛrəˈtaɪvəl grammar denoting a mood of verbs used in giving orders, making requests, etc. In English the verb root without any inflections is the usual form, as for example leave in Leave me alone

noun

1. something that is urgent or essential
2. an order or command
3. grammar
   1. the imperative mood
   2. a verb in this mood

imperative

1. A grammatical category describing verbs that command or request: “ Leave town by tonight”; “Please hand me the spoon.”

Derived Forms

• imˈperativeness, noun
• imˈperatively, adverb

Other Words From

• im·pera·tive·ly adverb
• im·pera·tive·ness noun
• nonim·pera·tive adjective
• nonim·pera·tive·ly adverb
• nonim·pera·tive·ness noun
• unim·pera·tive adjective
• unim·pera·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of imperative¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Late Latin imperātivus, equivalent to Latin imperāt(us) “imposed,” past participle of imperāre “to impose, order, command” ( im- im- ¹ + -perāre, combining form of parāre “to set, get ready, produce, obtain”; prepare ) + -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of imperative¹

C16: from Late Latin imperātīvus, from Latin imperāre to command

Example Sentences

It’s imperative that L.A. city and county officials and civic leaders use that money efficiently and transparently to get people the help and housing they need.

From Los Angeles Times

Under the laws of war, the forced displacement of any civilians inside an occupied territory is prohibited, unless it is necessary for their security or for an imperative military reason.

From BBC

HRW’s report - based on interviews with displaced Palestinians, analysis of Israeli evacuation orders, satellite imagery showing destruction of buildings, and videos and photos of strikes - concludes that there is no plausible imperative military reason to justify the displacement of nearly all of Gaza’s population and that the other conditions for it be lawful have also not been met.

From BBC

“When I read the script, it was an education in how necessary, how imperative Rita was to Bob’s journey,” Lynch says.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’ve been here before — and we’re here to double down on our conservation work, which is more imperative than ever.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compulsory
• critical
• crucial
• essential
• immediate
• important
• indispensable
• inescapable
• obligatory
• pressing
• urgent
• vital