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

The paintings are also vulnerable to vandalism, such as graffiti, and damage from fires, which are sometimes set by locals unaware of the paintings’ importance.

From Science Magazine

Among the measures to prevent transmission of the hepatitis E virus to the public, the researchers stress the importance of avoiding "contact with wild boars, as well as not eating their raw or undercooked meat."

From Science Daily

The results highlight the importance of protective measures in contact sports.

From Science Daily

Their work shows the importance of managing these variables effectively to sustain agricultural productivity.

From Science Daily

The importance of the vote is not lost on Rebecca Paul, who became Conservative MP for Reigate in July.

From BBC

Related Words

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