importantly
- 01 B1 Intermediate
you use this to introduce a fact or idea that is more significant than what you just said.
used as a sentence adverb to indicate that the following statement is of greater significance than preceding ones; often preceded by 'more' or 'most'.
Simple“The new car is faster and, more importantly, much safer than the old one.”
In context“The report highlights several technical flaws but, more importantly, it identifies a systemic failure in the safety protocols.”
UsageCommonly occurs in the comparative 'more importantly' or superlative 'most importantly' at the start of a clause.
PitfallImportant, we need to finish this today. Importantly, we need to finish this today.When starting a sentence to show that the whole idea is significant, you must use the adverb form 'importantly'.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
doing something in a way that shows you think you are very significant or serious.
in a manner that suggests personal importance, authority, or gravity.
Simple“He cleared his throat importantly before starting his speech to the crowd.”
In context“The official strode importantly across the hall, clutching a stack of documents as if they contained the secrets of the state.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is less common than the sentence-modifying use and can sometimes imply that the person is acting more significant than they actually are.
From important + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.