important

adjective

im·​por·​tant im-ˈpȯr-tᵊnt 

 especially Southern US and New England  -tənt,

-dənt

1

: marked by or indicative of significant worth or consequence : valuable in content or relationship

2

: giving evidence of a feeling of self-importance

3

obsolete : importunate, urgent

Importantly vs. Important: Usage Guide

A number of commentators have objected to importantly as a sentence modifier (the use defined above at sense 1) and have recommended important instead. Actually, both the adverb and the adjective are in reputable standard use in this function. Important is always used with more or most.

had bronze weapons and composite bows; more important, they utilized the horse and war chariot

—Harry A. Gailey, Jr.

second and most important, the book contains no important woman character

—F. Scott Fitzgerald

Importantly is commonly used in similar contexts, but it is somewhat more flexible in not requiring more or most.

sticks and, just as importantly, unsticks easily

—Phoebe Hawkins

importantly, the leaven in the mixture is quality

—George O'Brien

Synonyms

• big
• consequential
• earthshaking
• earth-shattering
• eventful
• historic
• major
• material
• meaningful
• momentous
• monumental
• much
• significant
• substantial
• tectonic
• weighty

Examples of important in a Sentence

Diet and exercise are important for health.

In his editorial, he made several important points.

Scientists have made an important discovery.

Doing her job well is important to her.

He's one of the most important scholars in his field.

Recent Examples on the Web

Defacing sites or breaking the rules at important international sites has led to charges and serious fines for tourists on many occasions. —Arata Yamamoto, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or important decisions from 10:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. PST today. —Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024

Several fossil teeth dating back 1.77 million years hold some important clues into our ape and human origins. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024

From Harry Truman to Joe Biden, U.S. presidents have embraced the notion that American values and ideals play an important role in U.S. foreign policy. —Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English importante, from Medieval Latin important-, importans, present participle of importare to signify — more at import entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing important

• all-important
• self-important

Kids Definition

important

adjective

im·​por·​tant im-ˈpȯrt-ᵊnt 

-ənt

1

: having great meaning or influence : significant

an important day to remember

our most important product

an important change

2

: having power or authority

an important leader

3

: believing or acting as if one's importance is greater than it really is

importantly adverb