Nearby Words
Synonyms
tntadjective
1.
of much or great significance or consequence: an important event in world history.
2.
mattering much (usually followed by to): 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.
EXPANDof 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.
COLLAPSEObsolete. importunate.
Origin:
1580–90; < Medieval Latin important- (stem of importāns present participle of importāre to be of consequence, weigh, Latin: to carry in, import), equivalent to im- im-1 + port- port5 + -ant- -ant; see import
1580–90; < Medieval Latin important- (stem of importāns present participle of importāre to be of consequence, weigh, Latin: to carry in, import), equivalent to im- im-1 + port- port5 + -ant- -ant; see import
Related forms
im·por·tant·ly, adverb
half-im·por·tant, adjective
half-im·por·tant·ly, adverb
pre·im·por·tant, adjective
pre·im·por·tant·ly, adverb
EXPANDqua·si-im·por·tant, adjective
qua·si-im·por·tant·ly, adverb
su·per·im·por·tant, adjective
su·per·im·por·tant·ly, adverb
un·im·por·tant, adjective
un·im·por·tant·ly, adverb
COLLAPSEUsage note
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.
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Important
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
| important (ɪmˈpɔːtənt) | |
| —adj (usually foll by to) | |
| 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 |
| [C16: from Old Italian importante, from Medieval Latin importāre to signify, be of consequence, from Latin: to carry in; see | |
| usage 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 | |
| im'portantly | |
| —adv | |
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
important
1444, from M.Fr. important, from M.L. importantem (nom. importans), prp. of importare "be significant in," from L. importare "bring in" (see import).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
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