important
[ im-pawr-tnt ]
/ ɪmˈpɔr tnt /
adjective
Origin of important
usage note for important
Both
more important and
more importantly occur at the beginning of a sentence in all varieties of standard English:
More important (or More importantly), her record as an administrator is unmatched. Today,
more importantly is the more common, even though some object to its use on the grounds that
more important is an elliptical form of “What is more important” and that the adverb
importantly could not occur in such a construction.
More importantly probably developed by analogy with other sentence-modifying adverbs, as
curiously, fortunately, and
regrettably.
OTHER WORDS FROM important
Words nearby important
Example sentences from the Web for unimportant
British Dictionary definitions for unimportant (1 of 2)
unimportant
/ (ˌʌnɪmˈpɔːtənt) /
adjective
lacking in significance or value
unimportant matters
British Dictionary definitions for unimportant (2 of 2)
important
/ (ɪmˈpɔːtənt) /
adjective
of great significance or value; outstanding
Voltaire is an important writer
of social significance; notable; eminent; esteemed
an important man in the town
(when postpositive, usually foll by to)
specially relevant or of great concern (to); valued highly (by)
your wishes are important to me
an obsolete word for importunate
Derived forms of important
importantly, adverbWord Origin for important
C16: from Old Italian
importante, from Medieval Latin
importāre to signify, be of consequence, from Latin: to carry in; see
import
usage for important
The use of
more importantly as in
more importantly, the local council is opposed to this proposal has become very common, but many people still prefer to use
more important