important Meaning & Definition
What Does Important Mean?
Important is an adjective that means marked by or indicative of significant worth or consequence. It can also mean deserving serious attention. As an adverb, it means in an important way.
Word Facts for Important
| Part of speech | adjective, adverb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /im-ˈpȯr-tᵊnt/ |
| Syllables | 3 |
| Synonyms | eminent, profound and significant |
| Antonyms | insignificant, unimportant and noncrucial |
| Comparative / superlative | more important, most important |
Important Definition (Adjective)
- marked by or indicative of significant worth or consequence : valuable in content or relationship
an important member of the team / Exercise is important for good health.
- deserving serious attention
made several important points
- giving evidence of a feeling of self-importance
answered in an important manner
- importunate, urgent
Important as an Adverb
- in an important way
… contributed importantly to the language of the field. / … the real story is importantly different from the one surmised.
- in a self-important or pompous manner
… he talked importantly of the managerial position he had reached, after a lifetime of devotion and toil …
Synonyms of Important
Antonyms of Important
Important in a Sentence
We thought it important for there to be a fire escape at the back of every building.
It is very important to give your daughter independence in her life so she learns from experience.
an important member of the team
Exercise is important for good health.
made several important points
answered in an important manner
… contributed importantly to the language of the field.
… the real story is importantly different from the one surmised.
… he talked importantly of the managerial position he had reached, after a lifetime of devotion and toil …
the discovery of penicillin was a very important event in the history of medicine
Rachel Carson was an important figure in the environmental movement
an important businessman who always expects special treatment wherever he goes
oh, you're so important—you think the world revolves around you
an important member of the team / Exercise is important for good health.
… contributed importantly to the language of the field. / … the real story is importantly different from the one surmised.
Word Forms & Grammar
important
importantly
important (comparative more important or (uncommon, nonstandard) importanter, superlative most important or (uncommon, nonstandard) importantest)
Words That Rhyme With Important
Origin of Important
Origin 1: Middle English importante, from Medieval Latin important-, importans, present participle of importare to signify import:1
Origin 2: From Middle English important, from Medieval Latin important-, importāns. By surface analysis, import (“to be important”) + -ant.
Origin 3: Displaced native Old English hēah and hefiġ.
First Known Use
15th century
1611
How Do You Say Important?
Important is pronounced /im-ˈpȯr-tᵊnt/ and has 3 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (pȯr).
Frequently Asked Questions About Important
Is important an adjective or an adverb?
Important is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as an adverb.
What is another word for important?
You can replace important with words such as eminent, profound and significant. See the full list of important synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of important?
Words opposite in meaning to important are insignificant, unimportant, noncrucial and inconsequential.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of important?
The comparative form is more important and the superlative form is most important.