important — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Having relevant and crucial value; having import.

   Examples

   This is an important question.

   We thought it important for there to be a fire escape at the back of every building.

   More examples (4)

   Thus, when he drew up instructions in lawyer language, he expressed the important words by an initial, a medial, or a final consonant, and made scratches for all the words between. His clerks, however, understood him very well.

   The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen.[…]The second note, the high alarum, not so familiar and always important since it indicates the paramount sin in Man's private calendar, took most of them by surprise although they had been well prepared.

   For this was the most important thing, that when a person felt strongly about an issue in life, it mustn’t be ignored by others; for if it was, everything subsequent to it would turn out badly, even though there should seem to be no direct connection.

   In plants, the ability to recognize self from nonself plays an important role in fertilization, because self-fertilization will result in less diverse offspring than fertilization with pollen from another individual.

2. Pompous; self-important.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   "[…] It is a match that must give universal satisfaction. In short, it is a kind of thing that"—lowering his voice to an important whisper—"will be exceedingly welcome to all parties." Recollecting himself, however, he added, "That is, I mean to say—your friends are all truly anxious to see you well settled; Fanny particularly […]"

Adjective

1. of great significance or value

   Synonyms

   of import

   Antonyms

   unimportant

   Examples

   important people

   the important questions of the day

2. important in effect or meaning

   Synonyms

   significant

   Examples

   a significant change in tax laws

   a significant change in the Constitution

   More examples (3)

   a significant contribution

   significant details

   statistically significant

3. of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis

   Synonyms

   crucial

   Examples

   a crucial moment in his career

   a crucial election

   More examples (1)

   a crucial issue for women

4. having authority or ascendancy or influence

   Synonyms

   authoritative

   Examples

   an important official

   the captain's authoritative manner

5. having or suggesting a consciousness of high position

   Examples

   recited the decree with an important air

   took long important strides in the direction of his office