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important definition

im·por·tant (im pôrt'nt)

adjective

  1. meaning a great deal; having much significance, consequence, or value
  2. having, or acting as if having, power, authority, influence, high position, etc.
  3. Obsolete importunate (sense )

Etymology: Fr < OIt importante < ML importans, prp. of importare: see import

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

important Synonyms

important

modif.

  1. Weighty; said usually of things

    significant, considerable, momentous, essential, great, decisive, critical, determining, chief, paramount, primary, foremost, principal, major, big, consequential, influential, marked, salient, imperative, exigent, of great consequence, mattering much, of moment, earthshaking, portentous, ponderous, of importance, never to be forgotten, of note, valuable, crucial, substantial, material, meaningful, vital, serious, grave, relevant, pressing, far-reaching, extensive, conspicuous, heavy*, front-page*, standout*, smash*; see also necessary 1, urgent 1.

    Antonyms trivial*, inconsequential*, unimportant. *

  2. Eminent; said usually of persons

    illustrious, influential, prominent, leading, great, notable, well-recognized, well-known, imposing, distinguished, prestigious, extraordinary, remarkable, powerful, noteworthy, signal, grand, outstanding, noted, noble, aristocratic, high-ranking, high-level, honored, esteemed, talented, distinctive, first-class, superior, foremost, big, major, big-league*, big-name*, top-notch*, solid*, four-star*, high-up*, high-powered*; see also dignified, distinguished 2, famous.

    Antonyms obscure*, unknown*, unrecognized.

  3. Relevant

    material, significant, mattering, of concern; see related 2, relevant.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

important Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • role: Folk dance groups played an important role in our career.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Economic security is becoming daily more important for State security.

Infinitive complement

  • remember: Also, it is important to remember that style is a vehicle for saying something.

Modifying Another Word

  • vitally: I know how vitally important an efficient transport system is to country life.

Preposition: in

  • context: However, the construction and meaning of documents in general may become extremely important in the context of an alleged competition law infringement.

Preposition: for

  • wildlife: The excellent bank side cover is important for wildlife including otter and greater and lesser horseshoe bats.

Preposition: by

  • annotator: This page allows to view which sentences are considered important by the annotators.
important usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

important quotes

It has long beenanaxiomof minethatthe littlethings are infinitely the most important.

-Doyle, SirArthur Conan

Personal relations are the important thing for ever and ever, and not this outer life of telegrams and anger.

-Forster, E(dward) M(organ)

The most important thing in acting is honesty.Once you've learned to fake that, you're in.

-Goldwyn, Sam(uel) originally  Schmuel Gelbfisz

important quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"important." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/important>

APA Style

important. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/important

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