imperative

[ im-per-uh-tiv ]

/ ɪmˈpɛr ə tɪv /

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See synonyms for: imperative / imperatives / imperatively / imperativeness 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

a command.

something that demands attention or action; an unavoidable obligation or requirement; necessity: It is an imperative that we help defend friendly nations.

Grammar.

the imperative mood.
a verb in this mood.

an obligatory statement, principle, or the like.

OTHER WORDS FOR imperative

1 inescapable; indispensable, essential; exigent, compelling.

See synonyms for imperative on Thesaurus.com

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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

im·per·a·tive·ly, adverbim·per·a·tive·ness, nounnon·im·per·a·tive, adjectivenon·im·per·a·tive·ly, adverb

non·im·per·a·tive·ness, nounun·im·per·a·tive, adjectiveun·im·per·a·tive·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH imperative

imperative , imperial, imperious

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use imperative in a sentence

The need to improve mobile cold storage — a crucial link in the cold chain — had become imperative.
The secret weapon for distributing a potential covid-19 vaccine|Joanna Radin|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
Pricing your home correctly from the start is imperative to a successful sale.
Pricing strategies when selling your home|Sherri Anne Green|October 31, 2020|Washington Blade
Since shoppers aren’t able to touch, feel, taste or smell the products, it’s imperative that what’s displayed on the website gives them an in-person sense of what they can expect when they receive their order.
4 ways to make your e-commerce experience engaging and bright|Sponsored Content: Cloudinary|October 27, 2020|Search Engine Land
By Chris Nguyen, executive vice president, marketing at NavigaDigital is no longer just a nice addition to a newspaper’s success, but an imperative.
How artificial intelligence and machine learning power content-first newsrooms|Naviga Global|October 26, 2020|Digiday

The worlds of media, marketing, fashion, beauty and retail — long dependent on office environments and brick-and-mortar stores — faced an urgent imperative to adapt quickly.
The Digiday Worklife Awards shortlist: Keeping collaboration and charity alive during an unprecedented year|Digiday Awards|October 20, 2020|Digiday
There was a touch of imperativeness in the hurriedly written little note that indefinitely appealed to him.
The Silver Poppy|Arthur Stringer
"I want you to take me to tea," she announced, with her accustomed imperativeness.
A Man's Hearth|Eleanor M. Ingram
Both had been troubled and roused, and they were drawing together with the sharpness and imperativeness of uniting elements.
The Game|Jack London
“I shall kiss you,” he said, not in any tone of either doubt or entreaty, rather with an imperativeness that was final.
A Woman's Will|Anne Warner
She laid her hands over his on the keys with pretty imperativeness, and put an end to the chords.
Banked Fires|E. W. (Ethel Winifred) Savi

British Dictionary definitions for imperative

imperative

/ (ɪmˈpɛrətɪv) /

adjective

extremely urgent or important; essential

peremptory or authoritativean 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

the imperative mood
a verb in this mood

Derived forms of imperative

imperatively, adverbimperativeness, noun

Word Origin for imperative

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for imperative

imperative

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

imperative

OTHER WORDS FOR imperative

Origin of imperative

OTHER WORDS FROM imperative

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH imperative

Words related to imperative

How to use imperative in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for imperative

Derived forms of imperative

Word Origin for imperative

Cultural definitions for imperative