important

[ im-pawr-tnt ]

/ ɪmˈpɔr tnt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR important ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of much or great significance or consequence: an important event in world history.

mattering much (usually followed by to): details important to a fair decision.

entitled to more than ordinary consideration or notice: an important exception.

prominent or large: He played an important part in national politics.

of considerable influence or authority, as a person or position: an important scientist.

having social position or distinction, as a person or family: important guests.

pompous; pretentious: When speaking, he assumes an important attitude that offends his audience.

Obsolete. importunate.

Nearby words

imponent, import, import quota, importance, importance of being earnest, the, important, importation, imported currantworm, importee, importer, importunacy

Origin of important

1580–90; < Medieval Latin important- (stem of importāns present participle of importāre to be of consequence, weigh, Latin: to carry in, import), equivalent to im- im-¹ + port- port⁵ + -ant- -ant; see import

Related forms

im·por·tant·ly, adverbhalf-im·por·tant, adjectivehalf-im·por·tant·ly, adverbpre·im·por·tant, adjective

pre·im·por·tant·ly, adverbqua·si-im·por·tant, adjectivequa·si-im·por·tant·ly, adverbsu·per·im·por·tant, adjectivesu·per·im·por·tant·ly, adverbun·im·por·tant, adjectiveun·im·por·tant·ly, adverb

Usage note

Both more important and more importantly occur at the beginning of a sentence in all varieties of standard English: More important (or More importantly), her record as an administrator is unmatched. Today, more importantly is the more common, even though some object to its use on the grounds that more important is an elliptical form of “What is more important” and that the adverb importantly could not occur in such a construction. More importantly probably developed by analogy with other sentence-modifying adverbs, as curiously, fortunately, and regrettably.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unimportant

Actually giving that up and stepping aside to become the unimportant one for once is very unpleasant, even painful.
Who Died and Made You Khaleesi? Privilege, White Saviors, and the Elusive Male Feminist Who Doesn’t Suck|Arthur Chu|June 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When I look back on my life as a volunteer, there is not one minute I think was wasted or unimportant.
Hurricane Sandy Anniversary a Reminder of the Power of Volunteers|Jill W. Iscol|April 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In other words, one can trust the entry on Jimmy Carter, but not entries for unimportant schlubs like me.
The Dangers of Trusting Wikipedia With Your Life|Michael Moynihan|April 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I had a teacher, when young, who said the word “writer” was unimportant.
Rick Moody: Why I Write|Rick Moody|February 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Evidently, those concerns are unimportant once the profits begin flowing into government coffers.
End the Government's Lottery Monopoly|Stephen L. Carter|April 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It did seem to me that some of our best officers were invariably placed in the most unimportant positions and commands.
Adventures and Reminiscences of a Volunteer|George T. Ulmer
Cornwallis is preparing for such possibility, else why is he fortifying this unimportant point so carefully.
The Minute Boys of York Town|James Otis
We have omitted short and unimportant passages in a few places, marked with asterisks.
The Indian in his Wigwam|Henry R. Schoolcraft
From that period the occasions of contact which had once been so frequent become rare and unimportant.
The Art of War in the Middle Ages A.D. 378-1515|C. W. C. Oman
Before a Man marrieth a Woman he delighteth to describe unto her all his doings—even the most unimportant.
A Bayard From Bengal|Hurry Bungsho Jabberjee

British Dictionary definitions for unimportant (1 of 2)

unimportant

/ (ˌʌnɪmˈpɔːtənt) /

adjective

lacking in significance or valueunimportant matters

British Dictionary definitions for unimportant (2 of 2)

important

/ (ɪmˈpɔːtənt) /

adjective

of great significance or value; outstandingVoltaire is an important writer

of social significance; notable; eminent; esteemedan important man in the town

(when postpositive, usually foll by to) specially relevant or of great concern (to); valued highly (by)your wishes are important to me

an obsolete word for importunate

Derived Formsimportantly, adverb

Word Origin for important

C16: from Old Italian importante, from Medieval Latin importāre to signify, be of consequence, from Latin: to carry in; see import

usage

The use of more importantly as in more importantly, the local council is opposed to this proposal has become very common, but many people still prefer to use more important

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 unimportant (1 of 2)

unimportant

adj.

1750, from un- (1) "not" + important. Used earlier in a sense of "unassuming, modest" (1727). Related: Unimportantly.

Word Origin and History for unimportant (1 of 2)

important

adj.

mid-15c., from Middle French important and directly from Medieval Latin importantem (nominative importans), present participle of importare "be significant in," from Latin importare "bring in" (see import). Related: Importantly.

important

adjective

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of important

Usage note

Examples from the Web for unimportant

British Dictionary definitions for unimportant (1 of 2)

unimportant

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for unimportant (2 of 2)

important

adjective

Word Origin for important

usage

Word Origin and History for unimportant (1 of 2)

unimportant

Word Origin and History for unimportant (1 of 2)

important