Importance: meaning, definitions and examples

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importance

 

[ ɪmˈpɔːt(ə)ns ]

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?

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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?

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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?

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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.

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

Etymology

The word 'importance' originated from the Old French word 'importance' in the 15th century, which in turn came from the Latin 'importare' meaning 'to bring in'. Over time, 'importance' evolved to signify the quality of being significant or having value. The concept of importance has played a crucial role in various aspects of human life, from societal structures to personal well-being. Its usage has expanded to encompass a wide range of contexts, reflecting its enduring relevance in communication and understanding. Today, 'importance' continues to be a central theme in discussions of influence, worth, and historical significance.

See also: import, important.

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.