Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

imperative

[im-per-uh-tiv]
See more synonyms for imperative on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable: It is imperative that we leave.
  2. of the nature of or expressing a command; commanding.
  3. 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).
Show More
noun
  1. a command.
  2. something that demands attention or action; an unavoidable obligation or requirement; necessity: It is an imperative that we help defend friendly nations.
  3. Grammar.
    1. the imperative mood.
    2. a verb in this mood.
  4. an obligatory statement, principle, or the like.
Show More

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
Related formsim·per·a·tive·ly, adverbim·per·a·tive·ness, nounnon·im·per·a·tive, adjectivenon·im·per·a·tive·ly, adverbnon·im·per·a·tive·ness, nounun·im·per·a·tive, adjectiveun·im·per·a·tive·ly, adverb
Can be confusedimperative imperial imperious

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
1. inescapable; indispensable, essential; exigent, compelling.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

vicissitudecontingencyrequirementdilemmadistressjuncturewantpassneedplightcrisisfixscrapejamcrossroadduresshardshipemergencypressurenecessity

Examples from the Web for imperativeness

Historical Examples

  • The man's voice leaped to a higher pitch and was sharp with imperativeness.

    Moon-Face and Other Stories

    Jack London

  • There was a touch of imperativeness in the hurriedly written little note that indefinitely appealed to him.

    The Silver Poppy

    Arthur Stringer

  • The very homeliness and obviousness of the duty causes us often to lose sight of its imperativeness and necessity.

  • Both had been troubled and roused, and they were drawing together with the sharpness and imperativeness of uniting elements.

    The Game

    Jack London

  • If on that subject he had only exercised the imperativeness customary with him on others, all might have been revealed.

British Dictionary definitions for imperativeness

imperative

adjective
  1. extremely urgent or important; essential
  2. peremptory or authoritativean imperative tone of voice
  3. 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
Show More
noun
  1. something that is urgent or essential
  2. an order or command
  3. grammar
    1. the imperative mood
    2. a verb in this mood
Show More
Derived Formsimperatively, adverbimperativeness, noun

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for imperativeness

imperative

adj.

1520s, from Late Latin imperativus "pertaining to a command," from imperatus "commanded," past participle of imperare "to command, to requisition," from assimilated form of in- "into, in" (see in- (2)) + parare "prepare" (see pare).

Show More

imperative

n.

mid-15c., in grammar; later "something imperative" (c.1600), from Old French imperatif and directly from Late Latin imperativus (see imperative (adj.)).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
imperativeness in Culture

imperative

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

Show More
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.