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:
"I won't be going, as I'm not religious. But it's great that someone of such importance is coming," she said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
I take nothing away from, nor mean to diminish, the importance or pain of any victim, their story or their point of view.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
Investigations into absolutely everything that has been corroded and broken in the courts and the Justice Department will be of paramount importance.
From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2026
Another trend to emerge from Australia's visit was the importance of lower-order runs.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026
The importance of the golden ratio comes from a Pythagorean discovery that is now barely remembered.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
Thus the commissioners, recovering from their panic, began to frown with importances.
From Gargoyles by Ben Hecht
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
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
It has been wisely said that intelligence may be defined as the ability to correctly determine differences, similarities, and importances.
From How and When to Be Your Own Doctor by Steve Solomon
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