imperative
Use Imperative in a sentence
ə adjective
1.
absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable: It is imperative that we leave.
2.
of the nature of or expressing a command; commanding.
3.
Grammar. noting or pertaining to the mood of the verb used in commands, requests, etc., as in Listen! Go! Compare indicative ( def 2 ), subjunctive ( def 1 ).
noun
4.
a command.
5.
something that demands attention or action; an unavoidable obligation or requirement; necessity: It is an imperative that we help defend friendly nations.
6.
Grammar.
a.
the imperative mood.
b.
a verb in this mood.
7.
an obligatory statement, principle, or the like.
00:10
Imperative
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is impending. Does it mean:
| about to happen |
| imploding |
Origin:
1520–30; < Late Latin imperātivus, equivalent to Latin imperāt(us) past participle of imperāre to impose, order, command (im- im-1 + -per- (combining form of parāre to fur-nish (with), produce, obtain, prepare) + -ātus -ate1) + -īvus -ive
1520–30; < Late Latin imperātivus, equivalent to Latin imperāt(us) past participle of imperāre to impose, order, command (im- im-1 + -per- (combining form of parāre to fur-nish (with), produce, obtain, prepare) + -ātus -ate1) + -īvus -ive
Related forms
im·per·a·tive·ly, adverb
im·per·a·tive·ness, noun
non·im·per·a·tive, adjective
non·im·per·a·tive·ly, adverb
non·im·per·a·tive·ness, noun
Synonyms
1. inescapable; indispensable, essential; exigent, compelling.
1. inescapable; indispensable, essential; exigent, compelling.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To imperative
Collins
World English Dictionary
imperative (ɪmˈpɛrətɪv) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | extremely urgent or important; essential |
| 2. | peremptory or authoritative: an imperative tone of voice |
| 3. | grammar Also: imperatival denoting a mood of verbs used in giving orders, making requests, etc. In English the verb root without any inflections is the usual form, as for example leave in Leave me alone |
| —n | |
| 4. | something that is urgent or essential |
| 5. | an order or command |
| 6. | grammar |
| a. the imperative mood | |
| b. a verb in this mood | |
| [C16: from Late Latin imperātīvus, from Latin imperāre to command] | |
| im'peratively | |
| —adv | |
| im'perativeness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
imperative
1530, from L.L. imperativus "pertaining to a command," from imperatus "commanded," pp. of imperare "to command, to requisition," from in- "in" + parare "beget, bear" (see pare).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
imperative definition
A grammatical category describing verbs that command or request: “Leave town by tonight”; “Please hand me the spoon.”
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
FOLDOC
Example sentences
Consequently, the optimistic economic scenario was driven by a cultural imperative.
In a time of increasing performance pressure, this opportunity is rapidly becoming an imperative.
It is absolutely imperative for community college executive administrations to acknowledge this need and to staff appropriately.
Yet scientists and policymakers agree that more regulation is imperative.
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