Importance: meaning, definitions and examples

⭐

Add to dictionary

importance

[ɪmˈpɔːt(ə)ns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in society

The quality of being important or significant. Importance is often associated with influence, power, or value.

Synonyms

consequence, significance, value, weight.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
importance	Used when referring to the overall value or worth of something in a general sense, often in a broader or abstract context. The importance of education cannot be overstated. He realized the importance of her support during tough times.
significance	Used when talking about the meaning or importance of something, especially in a specific or detailed context. The significance of this discovery is immense for science. She understood the significance of that moment in her life.
value	Refers to the worth or utility of something, can be economic, moral, or personal. He appreciates the value of hard work. The value of the antique was higher than expected.
weight	Often used metaphorically to describe the seriousness or influence of a fact or statement, sometimes implying a burden or responsibility. His words carried a lot of weight in the meeting. She felt the weight of her responsibilities on her shoulders.
consequence	Typically used to describe the result or outcome of an action, often implying a negative or serious result. Breaking the rules can have serious consequences. She faced the consequences of her decisions.

Examples of usage

Education is of great importance in society.
Teamwork is of utmost importance in achieving success.
His role in the project was of vital importance.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

personal life

The state or fact of being important or having value to oneself. It can refer to one's self-worth, priorities, or goals.

Synonyms

priority, significance, value, worth.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
importance	Use this when talking about how crucial or necessary something is, often in a general sense. The importance of education cannot be overstated. They discussed the importance of teamwork in the project.
significance	Use this when you want to highlight the meaning, impact, or implications of something, often in a specific context. The discovery has great scientific significance. She didn't realize the significance of his words until later.
value	Use this when discussing the worth, usefulness, or benefit of something, often with a focus on practical or monetary terms. The value of this antique is quite high. He offers great value to the team with his expertise.
worth	Similar to 'value,' use this to talk about the overall merit or desirability of something, often in terms of personal or intrinsic value. Her contributions are worth more than can be quantified. Is this new gadget really worth the price?
priority	Use this when referring to the order of importance, indicating something that should come first or receive immediate attention. Finishing this report is my top priority today. Health and safety should always be a priority.

Examples of usage

Self-care is of paramount importance in maintaining mental health.
She realized the importance of spending time with loved ones.
Setting clear goals is crucial for understanding the importance of each task.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

history

A notable person or thing. Importance can be attributed to historical figures, events, or artifacts.

Synonyms

notability, prominence, relevance, significance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
importance	Used in general contexts to indicate the state or quality of being important. The importance of education cannot be overstated She emphasized the importance of attending the meeting
significance	Used to indicate the quality of being worthy of attention, typically in terms of impact, meaning, or value. The significance of their discovery was immediately apparent The cultural significance of the ritual cannot be ignored
notability	Often used to describe the quality of being notable or worth noting, typically in the context of achievements or public recognition. His notability in the scientific community grew after his groundbreaking research The author's notability rose with the publication of her first book
prominence	Used to denote a state of being prominent or standing out, often in terms of public visibility or influence. The actor's prominence in Hollywood has increased The building’s prominence in the city skyline makes it a landmark
relevance	Refers to the quality of being directly connected with and important to something else, often used in discussions about material or information applicability. The relevance of her comments to the ongoing debate was questioned This article has great relevance to our research

Examples of usage

The Declaration of Independence is a document of great historical importance.
Shakespeare is a figure of immense importance in literature.
The discovery of penicillin was a momentous event of medical importance.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'importare,' meaning 'to bring in,' showing how we bring in value from things we consider important.
It developed in Middle English as 'importaunce,' which reflected the idea of weighing the value of things.
The suffix '-ance' indicates a state or quality, pointing to how something is valued.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, family and education are deemed important, shaping social values and priorities.
Different societies may prioritize different aspects, such as community involvement or personal success, showing diverse views on what holds importance.
Rituals, like weddings or graduations, signify important transitions in life, reflecting deeper cultural meanings.

Psychology

The human brain tends to focus on what is important to survival, prioritizing those things for decision-making.
Psychologists note that understanding the importance of tasks can affect motivation and performance in various aspects of life.
Cognitive biases can lead people to misjudge the importance of certain information, impacting their beliefs and actions.

Education

In learning, understanding the importance of a topic helps students engage more deeply and retain information better.
Many educational frameworks emphasize the importance of critical thinking skills, preparing individuals for real-world challenges.
Teachers often highlight the importance of curiosity and questioning as tools for deeper understanding.

Economics

Resources are often allocated based on their perceived importance to society, affecting development and growth.
Market trends reflect the importance of consumer needs and preferences, driving businesses to adapt frequently.
Investments are driven by the importance placed on potential returns and the perceived future value of sectors.

Translations

Translations of the word "importance" in other languages:

🇵🇹 importância

🇮🇳 महत्व

🇩🇪 Wichtigkeit

🇮🇩 kepentingan

🇺🇦 важливість

🇵🇱 znaczenie

🇯🇵 重要性 (じゅうようせい)

🇫🇷 importance

🇪🇸 importancia

🇹🇷 önem

🇰🇷 중요성 (jungyoseong)

🇸🇦 أهمية (ahmiyya)

🇨🇿 důležitost

🇸🇰 dôležitosť

🇨🇳 重要性 (zhòngyào xìng)

🇸🇮 pomen

🇮🇸 mikilvægi

🇰🇿 маңыздылық (maňyzdylyq)

🇬🇪 მნიშვნელობა (mnishvneloba)

🇦🇿 əhəmiyyət

🇲🇽 importancia

Word Frequency Rank

At #658 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.

...
655 hold
656 seem
657 employees
658 importance
659 regard
660 beyond
661 recent
...