Dictionary
important
adjective im·por·tant \im-ˈpȯr-tənt, especially Southern & New England -tənt, -dənt\
: having serious meaning or worth : deserving or requiring serious attention
: having power, authority, or influence
Full Definition of IMPORTANT
1
: marked by or indicative of significant worth or consequence : valuable in content or relationship
2
obsolete : importunate, urgent
3
: giving evidence of a feeling of self-importance
See important defined for English-language learners
See important defined for kids
Usage Discussion of IMPORTANT
A number of commentators have objected to importantly as a sentence modifier (sense 2) and have recommended important instead. Actually both the adverb and the adjective are in reputable standard use in this function. Important is always used with more or most <had bronze weapons and composite bows; more important, they utilized the horse and war chariot — Harry A. Gailey, Jr.> <second and most important, the book contains no important woman character — F. Scott Fitzgerald>. Importantly is somewhat more flexible in not requiring more or most <sticks and, just as importantly, unsticks easily — Phoebe Hawkins> <importantly, the leaven in the mixture is quality — George O'Brien>.
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of IMPORTANT
Middle English importante, from Medieval Latin important-, importans, present participle of importare to signify — more at import
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to IMPORTANT
- Synonyms
- big, consequential, earthshaking, earth-shattering, eventful, historic, major, material, meaningful, momentous, monumental, much, significant, substantial, tectonic, weighty
- Antonyms
- inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, little, minor, negligible, slight, small, trifling, trivial, unimportant
IMPORTANT Defined for Kids
important
adjective im·por·tant \im-ˈpȯr-tənt\
Definition of IMPORTANT for Kids
1
: having serious meaning or worth <Graduation is an important event in your life.>
2
: having power or authority <an important leader>
— im·por·tant·ly adverb
Learn More About IMPORTANT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: importantlyPrevious Word in the Dictionary: importancyAll Words Near: important
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up important? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).