important

[ im-pawr-tnt ]

adjective

1. of much or great significance or consequence:

   an important event in world history.

2. mattering much (usually followed by to ):

   details important to a fair decision.

3. entitled to more than ordinary consideration or notice:

   an important exception.

4. prominent or large:

   He played an important part in national politics.

5. of considerable influence or authority, as a person or position:

   an important scientist.

6. having social position or distinction, as a person or family:

   important guests.

7. pompous; pretentious:

   When speaking, he assumes an important attitude that offends his audience.

8. Obsolete. importunate.

important

/ ɪmˈpɔːtənt /

adjective

1. of great significance or value; outstanding

   Voltaire is an important writer

2. of social significance; notable; eminent; esteemed

   an important man in the town

3. when postpositive,usually foll byto specially relevant or of great concern (to); valued highly (by)

   your wishes are important to me

4. an obsolete word for importunate

Usage Note

Both more important and more importantly occur at the beginning of a sentence in all varieties of standard English: More important (or More importantly), her record as an administrator is unmatched. Today, more importantly is the more common, even though some object to its use on the grounds that more important is an elliptical form of “What is more important” and that the adverb importantly could not occur in such a construction. More importantly probably developed by analogy with other sentence-modifying adverbs, as curiously, fortunately, and regrettably.

Usage

The use of more importantly as in more importantly, the local council is opposed to this proposal has become very common, but many people still prefer to use more important

Derived Forms

• imˈportantly, adverb

Other Words From

• im·portant·ly adverb
• half-im·portant adjective
• half-im·portant·ly adverb
• preim·portant adjective
• preim·portant·ly adverb
• quasi-im·portant adjective
• quasi-im·portant·ly adverb
• super·im·portant adjective
• super·im·portant·ly adverb
• unim·portant adjective
• unim·portant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of important¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Medieval Latin important-, stem of importāns, present participle of importāre “to be of consequence, weigh,” from Latin: “to carry in, import,” equivalent to im- im- ¹( def ) + port- port ⁵( def ) + -ans -ant ( def ); import ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of important¹

C16: from Old Italian importante, from Medieval Latin importāre to signify, be of consequence, from Latin: to carry in; see import

Example Sentences

“It’s important to send a message that you can’t commit these crimes with impunity, that there are consequences to them,” district judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said.

From BBC

And it’s one of a host of reasons we not only think the ride is a blast, but also why it’s an important addition to Disneyland.

From Los Angeles Times

“And I’m wishing him the best of health. And hopefully, I see him soon. It doesn’t even have to be on the sidelines. Hopefully I’ll just see him soon. That’s the most important for me.”

From Los Angeles Times

"We can ensure that we will not for a moment forget about the most important ones in this whole situation - the girls who should have been safe in their school, and that is why we are going through these processes and arrangements," it said.

From BBC

It’s something important to study and understand for the many people living with both alcoholism and post-traumatic stress disorder.

From Slate

Related Words

• eminent
• esteemed
• great
• influential
• of note
• outstanding
• powerful
• prominent