imperative

[ im-per-uh-tiv ]
/ ɪmˈpɛr ə tɪv /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR imperative ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable: It is imperative that we leave.
of the nature of or expressing a command; commanding.
Grammar. noting or pertaining to the mood of the verb used in commands, requests, etc., as in Listen! Go! Compare indicative(def 2), subjunctive(def 1).

noun

Origin of imperative

1520–30; < Late Latin imperātivus, equivalent to Latin imperāt(us) past participle of imperāre to impose, order, command ( im- im-1 + -per- (combining form of parāre to fur-nish (with), produce, obtain, prepare) + -ātus -ate1) + -īvus -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM imperative

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH imperative

imperative imperial imperious

Words nearby imperative

impenetrable, impenitent, impennate, imper., imperatival, imperative, imperator, imperatriz, imperceptible, imperception, imperceptive

Words related to imperatively

crucially, essentially, necessarily

Example sentences from the Web for imperatively

British Dictionary definitions for imperatively

imperative
/ (ɪmˈpɛrətɪv) /

adjective

extremely urgent or important; essential
peremptory or authoritative an imperative tone of voice
Also: imperatival (ɪmˌpɛrəˈtaɪvəl) grammar denoting a mood of verbs used in giving orders, making requests, etc. In English the verb root without any inflections is the usual form, as for example leave in Leave me alone

noun

something that is urgent or essential
an order or command
grammar
  1. the imperative mood
  2. a verb in this mood

Derived forms of imperative

imperatively, adverb imperativeness, noun

Word Origin for imperative

C16: from Late Latin imperātīvus, from Latin imperāre to command

Cultural definitions for imperatively

imperative

A grammatical category describing verbs that command or request: “Leave town by tonight”; “Please hand me the spoon.”