of much or great significance or consequence: an important event in world history.
mattering much (usually followed by to): details important to a fair decision.
entitled to more than ordinary consideration or notice: an important exception.
prominent or large: He played an important part in national politics.
of considerable influence or authority, as a person or position: an important scientist.
having social position or distinction, as a person or family: important guests.
pompous; pretentious: When speaking, he assumes an important attitude that offends his audience.
Obsolete. importunate.
Origin of important
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
usage note for important
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.
We can argue about what the specifics of a plan should look like, but the important thing is that we get back to the negotiating table and hammer out a deal that can be passed into law.
Trump moves closer to Pelosi in economic aid talks, and House speaker must decide next move|Rachael Bade, Erica Werner|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
The most important thing you can do when you’re in the 50 Best is enjoy it, because it’s not going to last.
Christian Puglisi Is Closing His Influential Copenhagen Restaurants. COVID Is Only Partly to Blame|Rafael Tonon|September 17, 2020|Eater
We want to see China rise, to continue to rise in a responsible way that will benefit you most, China, because you have an important role to play.
Trump’s most popular YouTube ad is a stew of manipulated video|Glenn Kessler, Meg Kelly|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
If we had much smaller testing, would have fewer, but we feel that having testing is a very important thing.
Timeline: The 124 times Trump has downplayed the coronavirus threat|Aaron Blake, JM Rieger|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
The Washington Post is providing this important information about the coronavirus for free.
Top health official says states need about $6 billion from Congress to distribute coronavirus vaccine|Lena H. Sun|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
It is also important to avoid using the pope as part of a marketing strategy.
Pope Francis Has the Pleasure of Meeting Angelina Jolie for a Few Seconds|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I don't know why or who's doing it, but it's the legacy…and it's a legacy that is so important to the culture.
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Again, the difference can seem subtle and sound more like splitting hairs, but the difference is important.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But the most important point I want to make is about what the press does now.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“I think it is important to say it is too soon to judge success or failure,” said Col. Steven Warren, a Pentagon spokesman.
Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War|Nancy A. Youssef|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
To be sure, there were some ashes and a little dirt in the soup, but that was not regarded as important.
Blackfeet Indian Stories|George Bird Grinnell
There was a property dispute going on, where Mr. Leverett was an important witness for a friend.
A Little Girl in Old Salem|Amanda Minnie Douglas
This little fiction is to amuse the credulous, and would be 'important if true.'
Overland through Asia; Pictures of Siberian, Chinese, and Tartar Life|Thomas Wallace Knox
And there is another point about railway junctions that reveals an important application to the larger journey of our life.
The Unpopular Review, Volume II Number 3|Various
Yet the work now to be done was much too important to be left to the hands of untrained volunteers.
The San Francisco Calamity|Various
British Dictionary definitions for important
important
/ (ɪmˈpɔːtənt) /
adjective
of great significance or value; outstandingVoltaire is an important writer
of social significance; notable; eminent; esteemedan important man in the town
(when postpositive, usually foll by to) specially relevant or of great concern (to); valued highly (by)your wishes are important to me
an obsolete word for importunate
Derived forms of important
importantly, adverb
Word Origin for important
C16: from Old Italian importante, from Medieval Latin importāre to signify, be of consequence, from Latin: to carry in; see import
usage for important
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