From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishimportantim‧por‧tant /ɪmˈpɔːtənt $ -ɔːr-/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective 1 IMPORTANTan important event, decision, problem etc has a big effect or influence on people’s lives or on events in the future a very important meeting The accident taught him an important lesson. Happiness is more important than money. ‘What did you say?’ ‘Oh, nothing important.’it is important (to do something) It’s important to explain the procedure to the patient. It’s vitally important that you understand the danger.important for It was important for the president to continue his schedule, regardless of the bomb threat.important to Nothing could be more important to me than my family. ► When you mean that you care about something a lot, say that it is important to you, not that it is ‘important for’ you.2 IMPORTANTpeople who are important have a lot of power or influence a very important customer They carry guns because it makes them feel important.THESAURUSimportant having a big effect on people’s lives or on events in the futurean important decisionGood qualifications are increasingly important.big important or seriousIt’s a big decision.a big problemsignificant important enough to be noticeable or have a big effectThere is no significant difference between the performance of male and female students.The Internet has brought about significant changes in people’s lives. noteworthy formal important or interesting enough to deserve your attentionThe castle is the island’s most noteworthy feature.The jury’s verdict was noteworthy for a number of reasons.very importantessential very important, especially for the success, health, or safety of someone or somethingIt is essential to speak the local language.essential supplies of food and clothingvital/crucial extremely important, because without it there could be serious problemsHis evidence was vital to the case.The US plays a crucial role in the region.The media are a vital part of the political system.key extremely important and having a big effectWheeler had a key role in the development of the atom bomb.Timing is key.of great/considerable importance very importantIn the construction industry, health and safety are of considerable importance.momentous very important because it has a very great effect on the futureMomentous events were taking place in Russia.a momentous decisionmost importantmain/chief/principal [only before noun] most importantWhat was your main aim? the principal reason for their decisionthe chief cause of the recessionmajor [usually before noun] one of the most important or serious thingsSmoking is a major cause of heart disease.Street crime is a major problem.central/primary [usually before noun] most important – used especially when talking about the main thing that people are discussing, worried about, or trying to doEducation will be the central issue in the election.Our primary concern is passenger safety.paramount /ˈpærəmaʊnt/ formal more important than anything else, so that you must consider it when deciding what to doAirport security is of paramount importance.The needs of the students are paramount.
Examples from the Corpus
important• Young children should be given a healthy diet - that's very important.• I have an important announcement to make, so please listen carefully.• J. S. Bach is the most important Baroque composer.• What is important for its value as evidence is that it is contemporary with the period under study.• Next Thursday's game is very important - if Italy lose they will be out of the World Cup.• More important in establishing his general dominance was his closeness to the crown.• That makes film sales an increasingly important measure of profit.• an important meeting• But you do not have to be a fusion buff to appreciate Joan Bromberg's history of an important part of science.• Several important politicians are calling for a change in the laws on gun control.• She asked some important questions.• She didn't realize how important schoolwork was until it was too late.• Now, however, Mr Ratti has put his name on a vastly larger and more important textile trove.• Gumbel and Sawyer are more important than ever.• It is important that everyone understands the risks involved in this plan.• At least the children are safe - that's the important thing.• School is important to me and so are my friends and family.• While I was a student, my parents' support and encouragement were very important to me.• It is important to read the instructions carefully before you start.• It is important to stress that the Chewong do not conceptualise specifically male characteristics as opposed to female ones.• Which is more important to you - your family or your career?• The school is having some very important visitors next week.it is important (to do something)• These can be quite complicated and it is important that you understand both systems.• Even if it is not easy to make changes, it is important to begin widening horizons as soon as possible.• In short it is important to close Windows down correctly.• In understanding assignment it is important to distinguish assignment from novation.• To begin with, it is important to gain a good understanding of the meaning of these aggregates.• In answering these questions, it is important to recall the distinction made earlier between prescriptive and descriptive grammar.• But it is important to test these impressions with objective studies.• For anyone working within an organisation it is important to understand both.feel important• He is handsome, tall and lively, he can make whoever he is with feel important.• I think it makes them feel important.• It not only adds variety to their day, but tutoring also helps them feel important.• Still, as bearers of the de Ia Torre name, the girls were made to feel important.• Up your eye contact early in the presentation, so you make the status-player feel important.• In other words, make your partner feel important and special.• They felt important because I brought a record to them.• I loved him for his special attention towards me; he made me feel important - if only to him.Origin important (1400-1500) French Old Italian importante “carrying a meaning, significant”, from Latin importare; → IMPORT2 