importance

[im-pawr-tns]

noun

1. the quality or state of being important; consequence; significance.

   Synonyms: concern, weight, moment

2. important position or standing; personal or social consequence.

3. consequential air or manner.

   an air of bustling importance.

4. Obsolete.,  an important matter.

5. Obsolete.,  importunity.

6. Obsolete.,  import or meaning.

importance

/ ɪmˈpɔːtəns /

noun

1. the state of being important; significance

2. social status; standing; esteem

   a man of importance

3. obsolete

   1. meaning or signification

   2. an important matter

   3. importunity

Other Word Forms

• preimportance noun
• unimportance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of importance¹

First recorded in 1495–1505; Medieval Latin importantia; important ( def. ), -ance ( def. )

Synonym Study

Importance, consequence, significance, moment all signify something valuable, influential, or worthy of note. Importance is the most general of these, assigning exceptional or notable value or influence to a person or thing: the importance of Einstein's discoveries. Consequence may suggest outstanding personal quality or position, or it may suggest importance because of results to be produced: a woman of consequence in world affairs; an event of great consequence for our future. Significance can be used interchangeably with importance or consequence, but it carries also the implication of importance that is not readily or immediately recognized: The significance of the discovery only became clear years later. Moment, on the other hand, almost always refers to immediately apparent, self-evident importance: a change of great moment for the nation's political system.

Example Sentences

De minimis, which is Latin for something of little importance, dates to 1938 when Congress passed the exception to boost trade and save the time of inspecting and calculating taxes on every package.

From Los Angeles Times

They certainly recognized this, which is why Phillies manager Rob Thomson made no effort to downplay the importance of Game 2.

From Los Angeles Times

The organization’s name stands for Early Money Is Like Yeast, a reference to the importance of early fundraising for female candidates.

From Los Angeles Times

"Because of the importance of poultry in Northern Ireland, we are always very concerned about outbreaks," Mr McKeown added.

From BBC

I believe the information is of such vital public importance that we filed suit and petitioned for expedited service.

From Salon

Related Words

• attention 
• concern 
• consequence 
• effect 
• emphasis 
• gravity 
• influence 
• interest 
• priority 
• relevance 
• sense 
• seriousness 
• usefulness www.thesaurus.com
• value