important

[im-pawr-tnt]

adjective

1. of much or great significance or consequence.

   an important event in world history.

2. mattering much (usually followed byto ).

   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. specially relevant or of great concern (to); valued highly (by)

   your wishes are important to me

4. an obsolete word for importunate

Usage

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.

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

Other Word Forms

• importantly adverb
• half-important adjective
• half-importantly adverb
• preimportant adjective
• preimportantly adverb
• quasi-important adjective
• quasi-importantly adverb
• superimportant adjective
• superimportantly adverb
• unimportant adjective
• unimportantly 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

When Martin used AI to design the character, he incorporated the prompt: “Make frequent sassy remarks that they are wasting your time. It sounds bad, but it’s really important for the story.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Indeed, the most important people, friends and family, are worth that bother.

Read more on Salon

“Pacers are critically important in running,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I feel like it’s so important to avoid polyester, nylon, any sort of plastic. And also the very harsh chemical dyes that are being used in clothing,” she said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While major tariff issues between Canada and China haven’t been resolved, establishing a relationship at the leadership level is important to unlock the steps needed to resolve trade issues, Carney told the news conference.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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