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Important: meaning, definitions and examples

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important

 

[ ɪmˈpɔːtnt ]

Adjective / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

in a conversation

Of great significance or value; likely to have a profound effect on success, survival, or well-being.

Synonyms

critical, crucial, essential, significant, vital.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
important

Used to describe something that has a lot of meaning or impact, but doesn't necessarily mean life-or-death.

  • It's important to drink enough water every day.
  • Education is important for personal growth.
significant

Used to describe something that has a noticeable or meaningful impact but is not as urgent as 'critical' or 'crucial'.

  • The discovery was significant for the scientific community.
  • There was a significant increase in sales last quarter.
crucial

Used for situations or decisions that are extremely important and pivotal for the outcome of a situation.

  • This meeting is crucial for the success of our project.
  • It is crucial to follow the instructions precisely.
vital

Used for something that is necessary for the sustenance or survival of something, often life or important functions.

  • Proper nutrition is vital for a healthy life.
  • The heart plays a vital role in the circulatory system.
essential

Used when something is absolutely necessary or indispensable.

  • Water is essential for all forms of life.
  • Good management skills are essential for running a company.
critical

Used when something is in a very delicate state and needs immediate attention or is very urgent.

  • The patient is in critical condition and needs surgery immediately.
  • It is critical to back up your data to avoid loss.

Examples of usage

  • It is important to prioritize your tasks to meet the deadline.
  • Voting is an important civic duty.
Context #2 | Noun

in a discussion

A thing that is of great significance or value.

Synonyms

crucial element, key factor, significant thing, valuable thing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
important

This word is used when referring to something that has great value or impact but is not necessarily the most critical part. It emphasizes general significance.

  • Family is very important to me.
  • It's important to get enough sleep every night.
significant thing

Used when referring to something that has noticeable or considerable importance. It implies a moderate to high level of impact.

  • The most significant thing he learned in college was time management.
  • Winning the award was a significant thing for her career.
valuable thing

This phrase is used to describe something that has great worth, often in terms of usefulness or preciousness. It may not necessarily be essential.

  • Trust is a valuable thing in any friendship.
  • Her advice was a valuable thing in making my decision.
crucial element

This phrase is used when referring to a key part of something that is essential for its success or existence. It denotes something indispensable.

  • Communication is a crucial element in maintaining a healthy relationship.
  • Understanding the basics of programming is a crucial element for becoming a good software developer.
key factor

This phrase is suited for highlighting a determining factor that influences the outcome of a situation or process. It emphasizes a major influence.

  • Flexibility is the key factor in our team's success.
  • Customer satisfaction is the key factor for our company's growth.

Examples of usage

  • Family is the most important thing in life.
  • Education is an important aspect of personal growth.

Translations

Translations of the word "important" in other languages:

🇵🇹 importante

🇮🇳 महत्वपूर्ण (mahatvapoorna)

🇩🇪 wichtig

🇮🇩 penting

🇺🇦 важливий

🇵🇱 ważny

🇯🇵 重要 (じゅうよう, jūyō)

🇫🇷 important

🇪🇸 importante

🇹🇷 önemli

🇰🇷 중요한 (jung-yohan)

🇸🇦 مهم (muhim)

🇨🇿 důležitý

🇸🇰 dôležitý

🇨🇳 重要 (zhòngyào)

🇸🇮 pomemben

🇮🇸 mikilvægt

🇰🇿 маңызды (mańyzdy)

🇬🇪 მნიშვნელოვანი (mnishvnelovani)

🇦🇿 əhəmiyyətli

🇲🇽 importante

Etymology

The word 'important' originated from the Latin word 'importare', which means 'to bring in' or 'to signify'. Over time, the word evolved in meaning to represent something of great significance or value. It has been used in various languages and cultures to emphasize the importance of certain things or actions.

See also: import, importance.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #151, this word is extremely common in English. It's a crucial part of basic vocabulary that's used constantly in both spoken and written communication, making it essential for even basic conversations.