importance
Americannoun
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importances
plural
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the quality or state of being important; consequence; significance.
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important position or standing; personal or social consequence.
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consequential air or manner.
an air of bustling importance.
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Obsolete. an important matter.
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Obsolete. importunity.
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Obsolete. import or meaning.
noun
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the state of being important; significance
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social status; standing; esteem
a man of importance
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obsolete
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meaning or signification
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an important matter
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importunity
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Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of importance
First recorded in 1495–1505; Medieval Latin importantia; see important ( def. ), -ance ( def. )
Explanation
Importance is the state of being greatly significant. If you're invited to your cousin's wedding and your friend's circus-themed birthday party on the same day, you'll have to decide which event has more importance to you. Something or someone that is particularly notable can also be referred to with the noun importance. The historic and symbolic importance of the "Declaration of Independence" means that most kids learn about it in history class. In your history class, you'll also learn about the people who had positions of importance in drafting the "Declaration," like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
Vocabulary lists containing importance
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Lupoi was the missing piece alongside Rivera and Chancellor Rich Lyons, forming a trio of Berkeley graduates who understand the importance of elevating the university’s profile with a contending football program.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
Mourinho has repeatedly spoken about Bellingham's importance to his plans, describing him as a "unique and super important player" with qualities that include physical, mental and tactical.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
She stressed, however, the importance of distinguishing between literary criticism and what often passes for such on social media but which, in her view, amounts to "advertising."
From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026
He learned about the importance of balance while working with Frank Guidara, the former CEO of Au Bon Pain and father of celebrated restaurateur Will Guidara, former co-owner of Manhattan’s Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
But the real importance, Reverend Hunt says, is to bring the good news of Christ to the native people who live in Virginia.
From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone
All perception of relative importances depends upon a just appreciation of which letters in association’s bond association will most readily dispense with.
From The Note-Books of Samuel Butler by Samuel Butler
She replied nothing at first, till he feared she might think it her duty to resent a question that made light of all her husband's importances.
From Madame De Mauves by Henry James
For when we feel that a painter has made simplicity and subordination of importances his first aim, it is surprising how much shortcoming we will condone as regards actual execution.
From The Note-Books of Samuel Butler by Samuel Butler
The chromatic differences of other errors of reproduction have seldom practical importances.
From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg
Van Eyck’s finish is saved because up to the last he is essentially impressionist, that is, he keeps a just account of relative importances and keeps them in their true subordination one to another.
From The Note-Books of Samuel Butler by Samuel Butler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
