important
/ɪmˈpɔːt(ə)nt
/adjective
1Of great significance or value: important habitats for wildlife it is important to avoid monosyllabic answers [sentence adverb]: the speech had passion and, more important, compassion...
- They recognize that the national interest is an important value in world politics.
- From this point of view, it is also very important to practice compassion and patience.
- It is important to avoid any further exposure to the sun until the burns have healed.
Synonyms
main, chief, principal, key, major, salient, prime, dominant, foremost, supreme, predominant, paramount, overriding, cardinal, crucial, vital, indispensable, critical, essential, significant, urgent;
central, fundamental, basic
informal number-one
of value, valuable, valued, useful, of use, beneficial, necessary, essential, indispensable, vital, of the essence;
of concern, of interest, relevant, pertinent, material, germane
1.1(Of a person) having high rank or status: an important senator...
- So we asked our own oracle to look at the year ahead for some of the most important people in Irish business.
- After all, in economic terms at least, a movie star is the most important person on the set.
- For my family are the most important people in my life. They are what I live and work for.
Synonyms
powerful, influential, of influence, well-connected, high-ranking, high-level, top-level, controlling, dominant, formidable;
prominent, eminent, pre-eminent, notable, noteworthy, of note;
distinguished, esteemed, respected, prestigious, celebrated, famous, great, grand;
leading, foremost, outstanding
informal big, big time, major league, big league
1.2(Of an artist or artistic work) significantly original and influential: writers as important as Hopkins...
- It would almost seem that he accomplished his body of important work without effort.
- Some of his most important work was carried out while he held this post in Heidelberg.
- It is a fine addition to a growing body of work by one of Lakeland's most important authors.
Synonyms
significant, consequential, momentous, of great moment, of import, of great import, of great consequence, far-reaching, major;
critical, crucial, vital, pivotal, decisive, urgent, epoch-making, historic, seminal;
serious, grave, substantial, weighty, signal, material
Origin
Late Middle English: from medieval Latin important- 'being of consequence', from the verb importare (see import).
This comes from Latin importare ‘be of consequence’.