Word
important
Phoneticsim·por·tant, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪmˈpɔɹtənt/
UK/ɪmpˈɔːtənt/
Definitions
01significant or valuable
A1 · Beginner
adj. having a big effect on people or things; something you must care about.
adj. having great significance, value, or influence; essential for a particular purpose or outcome.
“It is important to drink enough water when the weather is hot.”
“The CEO emphasized that maintaining a positive company culture was just as important as meeting their quarterly financial targets.”
Pitfall
This is very important for me.
This is very important to me.
Use 'important to' when something has personal value or meaning; use 'important for' when something is necessary for a specific result.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02having high status
B1 · Intermediate
adj. having a lot of power, authority, or a high position in society.
adj. possessing great authority, power, or social standing.
“She had a meeting with some very important people from the government.”
“The gala was attended by several important figures in the local arts community, all of whom were eager to support the new museum wing.”
Synonyms
03pompous
C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary
adj. behaving as if you are much more special or powerful than you really are.
adj. behaving in a way that suggests a high opinion of one's own importance; often used in the compound 'self-important'.
“He walked into the room with an important air, looking down at everyone.”
“The official's important manner and refusal to listen to the public's concerns eventually led to his dismissal from the council.”
Usage
Often appears as 'self-important' in modern contexts.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “important” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English important, from Medieval Latin important-, importāns. By surface analysis, import (“to be important”) + -ant. Displaced native Old English heah and hefig.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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