ENGLISH
REFERENCE

momentous

adj.
C1 Advanced US //moʊˈmɛntəs// UK //məʊmˈɛntəs// mo·men·tous

adj. very important because it will have a big effect on the future. You use this to describe a major event or decision.

adj. of great importance or significance, especially in its bearing on future events. Often used to describe historical turning points or life-changing decisions.


SIMPLE

The two countries signed a momentous peace treaty today.

CONTEXTUAL

Graduating from university is a momentous occasion that marks the start of a new chapter in life.

COMPLEX

The discovery of the new vaccine was a momentous achievement that promised to alter the course of global public health for generations to come.

Origin

From moment (“weight, importance”) + -ous.

Usage

Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun like 'decision', 'occasion', or 'event'.

Pitfall

a momentary decisiona momentous decisionLearners confuse 'momentous' (important) with 'momentary' (lasting only a short time).

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