importance
Americannoun
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importances
plural
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the quality or state of being important; consequence; significance.
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important position or standing; personal or social consequence.
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consequential air or manner.
an air of bustling importance.
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Obsolete. an important matter.
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Obsolete. importunity.
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Obsolete. import or meaning.
noun
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the state of being important; significance
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social status; standing; esteem
a man of importance
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obsolete
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meaning or signification
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an important matter
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importunity
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Synonym Usage
Importance, consequence, significance, moment all signify something valuable, influential, or worthy of note. Importance is the most general of these, assigning exceptional or notable value or influence to a person or thing: the importance of Einstein's discoveries. Consequence may suggest outstanding personal quality or position, or it may suggest importance because of results to be produced: a woman of consequence in world affairs; an event of great consequence for our future. Significance can be used interchangeably with importance or consequence, but it carries also the implication of importance that is not readily or immediately recognized: The significance of the discovery only became clear years later. Moment, on the other hand, almost always refers to immediately apparent, self-evident importance: a change of great moment for the nation's political system.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of importance
First recorded in 1495–1505; Medieval Latin importantia; see important ( def. ), -ance ( def. )
Explanation
Importance is the state of being greatly significant. If you're invited to your cousin's wedding and your friend's circus-themed birthday party on the same day, you'll have to decide which event has more importance to you. Something or someone that is particularly notable can also be referred to with the noun importance. The historic and symbolic importance of the "Declaration of Independence" means that most kids learn about it in history class. In your history class, you'll also learn about the people who had positions of importance in drafting the "Declaration," like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
Vocabulary lists containing importance
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
That puts increased importance on the decision about where to retire, since retirement itself could last decades.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026
In his first press conference as Liverpool boss, he was asked by BBC Sport about the importance of his core principles.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026
"The candidates' foreign policy orientation is of great importance to me," said retired teacher Georgi Lyubenov, 77, without saying which direction he would like the country to go in.
From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026
It was a perfect example showing the importance of chemistry between quarterback and receiver.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026
Daddy kept staring hard out the window, like he was searching for something of the utmost importance.
From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan
We are beginning to have glamours and importances of our own.
From On the Stairs by Henry Blake Fuller
For when we feel that a painter has made simplicity and subordination of importances his first aim, it is surprising how much shortcoming we will condone as regards actual execution.
From The Note-Books of Samuel Butler by Samuel Butler
Van Eyck’s finish is saved because up to the last he is essentially impressionist, that is, he keeps a just account of relative importances and keeps them in their true subordination one to another.
From The Note-Books of Samuel Butler by Samuel Butler
All perception of relative importances depends upon a just appreciation of which letters in association’s bond association will most readily dispense with.
From The Note-Books of Samuel Butler by Samuel Butler
The difficulty lies in the nice appreciation of relative importances and in the giving each detail neither more nor less than its due.
From The Note-Books of Samuel Butler by Samuel Butler
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
