importance

[ im-pawr-tns ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being important; consequence; significance.

   Synonyms: concern, weight, moment

2. important position or standing; personal or social consequence.
3. consequential air or manner:

   an air of bustling importance.

4. Obsolete. an important matter.
5. Obsolete. importunity.
6. Obsolete. import or meaning.

importance

/ ɪmˈpɔːtəns /

noun

1. the state of being important; significance
2. social status; standing; esteem

   a man of importance

3. obsolete.
   1. meaning or signification
   2. an important matter
   3. importunity

Other Words From

• preim·portance noun
• unim·portance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of importance¹

First recorded in 1495–1505; Medieval Latin importantia; important ( def ), -ance ( def )

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

You already know the importance of leveraging local SEO strategies.

From Search Engine Watch

Even in 2016, a year without a pandemic, Gallup found that regulating Wall Street was below average in importance to both Democrats and Republicans, with about a dozen issues ranking higher.

From FiveThirtyEight

It has shown me the importance of cultivating relationships and the value of maximizing moments in life.

From Washington Blade

They recognize the importance of having those skillsets in-house.

From Digiday

The other thing that Mellaart got wrong about the importance of female figurines was how they were used in everyday life.

From Popular-Science

Such was the importance of showing the country that he was a “different kind of Democrat.”

From The Daily Beast

Lawler notes that in the Zoroastrian religion of the Persians, the rooster was of the utmost importance.

From The Daily Beast

He would talk to Mecallari and the staff about what was of paramount importance to him, his two sons.

From The Daily Beast

But everyone seemed to always understand the importance of this film.

From The Daily Beast

So was the importance of protest itself, which he vowed to protect from the heavy-handed policies employed by his predecessors.

From The Daily Beast

These schools became affiliated Universities, but never equalled the Law University in importance.

From Project Gutenberg

The Texians laughed at the fanfarronades of the dons, and did not attach sufficient importance to these formidable preparations.

From Project Gutenberg

If not, I shall do so as soon as possible, as befits the importance of what is contained in them, and the service of your Majesty.

From Project Gutenberg

And here let me point out for your future guidance the importance of having a private secretary thoroughly up to his work.

From Project Gutenberg

Would Hodson, knowing the exceeding importance of his mission, have turned to rescue a servant or raise a fallen horse?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• attention
• concern
• consequence
• effect
• emphasis
• gravity
• influence
• interest
• priority
• relevance
• sense
• seriousness
• usefulness
• value