INDEX:
1. something that is important
2. important and necessary
3. most important
4. an important person
5. someone or something that you care a lot about
6. the most important things
7. to make something seem more important than it really is
8. to have an important part in something
9. to make someone or something less important
RELATED WORDS
opposite
↑ UNIMPORTANT
see also
↑ MAIN
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1. something that is important
▷ important /ɪmˈpɔːʳt ə nt/ [adjective]
something that is important has a big effect on people’s lives and on the way things will happen :
▪ Next Thursday’s game is very important - if Italy lose they will be out of the World Cup.
▪ I have an important announcement to make, so please listen carefully.
▪ She didn’t realize how important schoolwork was until it was too late.
importance [uncountable noun]
how important something is :
important of
▪ No-one should underestimate the importance of this discovery.
▷ major /ˈmeɪdʒəʳ/ []
one of the most important or serious things - use this especially when there is a small number of very important things, but a larger number of less important things :
▪ Smoking is a major cause of heart disease
▪ All the world’s major sporting events can be seen on HHS TV.
▪ It’s the chief executive who makes all the major decisions.
▷ big /bɪg/ [adjective]
big decision/event/occasion/day etc
an important decision, event etc, especially one that will influence or affect the rest of your life :
▪ This is a big decision - you’ll have to give me time to think.
▪ Graduation Day is one of those big occasions when everyone wants a souvenir photograph.
the big day
especially spoken a very important day in someone’s life
▪ I hear you’re getting married - when’s the big day?
▷ key /kiː/ [adjective]
key role/factor/issue etc
someone or something that has an extremely important effect on the way something develops :
▪ Education is likely to be a key issue in the forthcoming election.
▪ The key person in this project will be the design manager.
▪ He held a key position in the Bush administration.
▷ significant/of great significance /sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt, əv ˌgreɪt sɪgˈnɪfɪkəns/ [adjective]
important enough to be noticed and considered and to make a difference to a situation :
▪ There has been a significant change in people’s attitude to the environment.
▪ Winning the award was a significant achievement.
▪ a significant new discovery, which will improve our understanding of the AIDS virus
▷ of importance /əv ɪmˈpɔːʳt ə ns/ [adjective phrase]
important :
of some/great/major etc importance
▪ This battle was of great importance.
▪ They suddenly became silent, listening as if what he said was of the greatest importance.
of no/not of any importance
▪ Nothing of any importance was agreed at their meeting.
▷ historic /hɪˈstɒrɪkǁ-ˈstɔː-, -ˈstɑː-/ [adjective usually before noun]
a historic event, moment etc is remembered as a part of history because it brings important changes that affect a situation for a long time :
▪ the historic moment when Nelson Mandela was released from prison
▪ In his book, Churchill describes that historic first meeting with Roosevelt.
▷ momentous /məʊˈmentəs, mə-/ [adjective usually before noun]
momentous event/decision/occasion etc
something that is very important because it has a very great effect or influence on future events :
▪ At this point William made a momentous decision -- he resigned from his job and joined the army.
▪ The revolution taking place in eastern Europe must be counted as one of the most momentous events of this century.
▷ critical /ˈkrɪtɪk ə l/ [adjective]
a time or situation that is critical is extremely important and possibly dangerous because your future will depend on what happens or is decided at that time :
▪ These accusations came at a critical phase in the negotiations.
critical for
▪ The next few months could be critical for the whole mining industry.
▷ landmark /ˈlændmɑːʳk/ [countable noun]
an important time or event in someone’s life, in history, in the development of knowledge etc, especially one that is the beginning of great improvements :
▪ Getting my first part in a movie was a major landmark in my life.
▪ This new drug is a landmark in the treatment of cancer.
2. important and necessary
▷ important /ɪmˈpɔːʳt ə nt/ [adjective]
something that is important should be given special attention because it is very necessary :
▪ Young children should be given a healthy diet - that’s very important.
it’s important to do something
▪ It is important to read the instructions carefully before you start.
it is important that
▪ It is important that everyone understands the risks involved in this plan.
importance [uncountable noun]
how important and necessary something is :
important of
▪ Most people realize the importance of getting enough sleep.
▷ vital /ˈvaɪtl/ [adjective]
something that is vital is very important and necessary, and if it is not done or dealt with correctly there could be serious problems :
▪ nurses, police officers and other workers who provide vital services
vital to
▪ His evidence was vital to the defence case.
it is vital that
▪ It is vital that leaking gas pipes are fixed immediately.
▷ essential /ɪˈsenʃ ə l/ [adjective]
extremely important to the existence, health, safety etc of someone or something :
▪ Emergency services such as medical supplies must be maintained at all times.
essential to
▪ The layer of fat on the baby seal’s body is essential to its survival.
it is essential that
▪ It’s essential that you wear protective clothing in this area.
▷ crucial /ˈkruːʃ ə l/ [adjective]
something that is crucial is extremely important, because everything that happens afterwards depends on it :
▪ Crucial decisions had to be made, involving millions of dollars.
▪ The crucial factor in their relationship was their unshakeable faith in each other.
crucially [adverb]
▪ The test results were crucially important.
3. most important
▷ the most important /ðə ˌməʊst ɪmˈpɔːʳt ə nt/:
▪ This was possibly the most important scientific discovery of the 20th century.
▪ For Muslims, this is the most important day of the year.
▪ If there is a fire, the most important thing is to get all the students out of the building immediately.
▷ priority /praɪˈɒrɪti, praɪˈɒrətiǁ-ˈɔːr-/ [countable/uncountable noun]
the most important thing, which needs to be dealt with before anything else or given more attention than anything else :
▪ First, let’s decide what our priorities are.
▪ My main priority is get through all my exams.
first/top/number one priority
▪ Safety has always been our number one priority.
give priority to something
decide that something is very important, and deal with it urgently
▪ The President promised to give priority to reducing unemployment.
▷ urgent /ˈɜːʳdʒ ə nt/ [adjective]
something that is urgent must be dealt with or done as soon as possible, especially because something very bad could happen if it is not :
▪ I’ve got one or two urgent letters to write.
▪ Your sister’s been calling -- I think it’s urgent.
▪ An international effort is required to cope with the urgent needs of the earthquake victims.
urgently [adverb]
▪ Mr Van Heeren is leaving on a trip and needs those papers urgently.
urgency [uncountable noun]
▪ This is a matter of great urgency.
▷ be at the top of the agenda /biː ət ðə ˌtɒp əv ði əˈdʒendəǁ-ˌtɑːp-/ [verb phrase]
to be the most important and urgent of all the things that have to be done, especially by a government or company :
▪ Getting inflation down is at the top of the agenda.
▪ The government were reluctant to put equal pay for women anywhere near the top of the agenda.
▷ take precedence over /ˌteɪk ˈpresə̇d ə ns əʊvəʳ/ [verb phrase]
if someone or something takes precedence over someone or something else, they are more important and need to be dealt with first :
▪ Don’t keep Mr Rawlings waiting, he takes precedence over any other client.
▪ Once again, the leader’s wishes have taken precedence over the students’ demands.
▷ overriding /ˌəʊvəˈraɪdɪŋ◂/ [adjective only before noun]
overriding need/concern/consideration etc
the thing that is most important and must be dealt with before anything else :
▪ The overriding need here is to end the civil war.
▪ an overriding concern to secure business efficiency
▷ paramount /ˈpærəmaʊnt/ [adjective]
more important than anything else :
▪ The patients’ wishes and needs are paramount and they must always come before our own.
▪ While some musical ability is necessary, it is not the paramount concern.
of paramount importance
▪ Public safety and security are matters of paramount importance.
4. an important person
▷ important /ɪmˈpɔːʳt ə nt/ [adjective]
an important person has a lot of power or influence :
▪ The school is having some very important visitors next week.
▪ Several important politicians are calling for a change in the laws on gun control.
▷ leading /ˈliːdɪŋ/ [adjective only before noun]
leading scientist/politician/company etc
a scientist, politician etc who is well-known and successful, and who usually has a lot of influence :
▪ She was one of America’s leading athletes.
▪ Some of the world’s leading politicians will be meeting in Geneva to discuss disarmament.
leading light
one of the most important and active people in an organization
▪ Debbie was one of the leading lights in the drama club.
▷ influential /ˌɪnfluˈenʃ ə l◂/ [adjective]
important and having a lot of influence especially in politics or business :
▪ Jacobson’s one of the most influential people in New York.
▪ The program has gained the support of several influential businessmen.
influential in doing something
▪ Various groups were influential in shaping public policy.
highly influential
▪ a highly influential member of Hong Kong’s banking community
▷ VIP /ˌviː aɪ ˈpiː/ [countable noun]
a very important, famous, or powerful person who is treated with special attention and respect :
▪ The First Lady is expected to be among the many VIPs attending tonight.
▪ The pair had their meeting in the VIP lounge room for important people at Heathrow airport.
▷ prominent /ˈprɒmɪnənt, ˈprɒmənəntǁˈprɑː-/ [adjective]
important, well-known, and respected in politics, business, education etc :
▪ Daguerre was a prominent Mexico City lawyer.
▪ The conference was attended by both government officials and prominent academics.
▪ Politicians who are prominent in public life may be at risk from terrorism.
prominence [uncountable noun]
▪ Karpati had recently risen to prominence in the communist party.
▷ heavyweight /ˈheviweɪt/ [countable noun]
someone who is important because they have a lot of power and experience in a particular business or job :
▪ Intellectual heavyweights will be debating what is one of the most important issues or our time.
▷ dignitary /ˈdɪgnɪt ə ri, ˈdɪgnət ə riǁ-teri/ [countable noun]
someone who has an important position in society or in an organization such as a church or government :
▪ Italy’s president will be there, with foreign dignitaries including the Prince of Wales.
▪ Most of the local dignitaries attended the event.
▷ valued /ˈvæljuːd/ [adjective only before noun]
valued friend/worker/customer etc
someone who is considered important because they provide a lot of support, business, service etc - used especially in advertisements and business contexts :
▪ I had a letter from William, one of my most valued friends.
▪ The most valued workers in the factory are the technicians.
▪ The company is offering discount to its valued customers.
5. someone or something that you care a lot about
▷ important /ɪmˈpɔːʳt ə nt/ [adjective]
if something is important to you, you care a lot about it, and it has an important influence on the way you think and behave :
▪ Which is more important to you - your family or your career?
be important to somebody
▪ While I was a student, my parents’ support and encouragement were very important to me.
the important thing
the only important thing
▪ At least the children are safe - that’s the important thing.
▷ care /keəʳ/ [intransitive verb not in progressive]
if you care about something or someone, you think they are important and you pay attention to them, consider their feelings etc :
▪ Thousands are dying from disease and starvation and yet no one seems to care.
care about
▪ Of course I care about the homeless and the unemployed, but what can I do?
care what/who etc
▪ We make a range of natural, additive-free foods for people who really care what they eat.
▷ mean a lot to /ˌmiːn ə ˈlɒt tuːǁ-ˈlɑːt-/ [verb phrase] especially spoken
if someone or something means a lot to you, you care about them or think about them a lot, and your happiness depends on them :
▪ You mustn’t discourage her - this job means a lot to her.
mean everything to somebody
to be more important than anything else
▪ Karen trained day and night - winning the gold medal meant everything to her.
▷ be somebody’s whole life /biː somebodyˈs ˌhəʊl ˈlaɪf/ [verb phrase]
if something or someone is your whole life, they are so important to you that life would seem to have no meaning without them and you would be very unhappy :
▪ I could never consider another career -- making films is my whole life.
▪ Paul loves you very much. You are his whole life.
▷ live for /ˈlɪv fɔːʳ/ [transitive phrasal verb not in progressive]
if you live for something or someone, they are the most important or enjoyable thing in your life :
▪ Margot lived for ballet and was completely dedicated.
▪ Bob lives for just two things -- his daughters and his music.
▷ be/mean (all) the world to /biː, miːn (ˌɔːl) ðə ˈwɜːʳld tu:/ [verb phrase] especially British
if someone is or means (all) the world to you, they are more important to you than anyone else because you love them so much :
▪ My son means all the world to me. If anything happened to him I’d never forgive myself.
▷ the be all and end all /ðə ˌbiː ɔːl ənd ˈend ɔːl/ [noun phrase]
the thing that someone considers to be the most important thing in their life - use this when you think that they are wrong to think that it is the most important thing :
▪ Going to university isn’t the be all and end all, you know.
6. the most important things
▷ essentials /ɪˈsenʃ ə lz/ [plural noun]
things that are important because they are necessary for life or for doing something :
▪ The refugees were provided with the essentials -- food and shelter, but nothing more.
bare essentials
the most necessary things
▪ We don’t have much room for luggage so we’re only taking the bare essentials.
▷ basics /ˈbeɪsɪks/ [plural noun]
the most necessary things that you need to know, understand, have etc before you can understand or do something :
▪ You have to understand the basics before you can move on to more advanced work.
7. to make something seem more important than it really is
▷ make a fuss /ˌmeɪk ə ˈfʌs/ [verb phrase]
to get upset or angry about something that is not really very important :
▪ It won’t cost much to repair the damage, so there’s no need to make such a fuss.
make a fuss about
▪ Be quiet. You’re all making a fuss about nothing.
▷ make an issue of also make a big deal out of /ˌmeɪk ən ˈɪʃuː ɒv, meɪk ə ˌbɪg ˈdiːl aʊt ɒv/ [verb phrase]
to argue about something that is not really very important, so that it seems to be important :
▪ Hilary was upset about not being promoted, but she didn’t want to make an issue of it.
▪ It really was just a temporary lapse - there’s no need to make a big deal out of it.
▷ make a mountain out of a molehill /meɪk ə ˌmaʊntə̇n aʊt əv ə ˈməʊlhɪl/ [verb phrase]
to make a problem seem worse and more important than it really is :
▪ She was only five minutes late! You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.
▷ make too much of /meɪk tuː ˈmʌtʃ ɒv/ [verb phrase]
to talk about something so much that it seems more important than it really is :
▪ You’re making too much of this - it’s really not worth out falling out over.
8. to have an important part in something
▷ play a leading part/role /ˌpleɪ ə ˌliːdɪŋ ˈpɑːʳt, ˈrəʊl/ [verb phrase]
to be important in making important changes or achieving an important success :
▪ The Church has played a leading role in the struggle for human rights.
▪ Von Braun played a leading part in the development of space flights.
▷ figure prominently in/be prominent in /ˌfɪgə ˈprɒmə̇nəntli ɪn, biː ˈprɒmə̇nənt ɪn/ [verb phrase]
to be important in a process, event, or situation, especially by working very hard to achieve something :
▪ The British Prime Minister figured prominently in the peace talks.
▪ The campaign, in which many celebrities figured prominently, was a great success.
▪ She will be remembered as someone who was always prominent in the anti-apartheid movement.
▷ be the driving force /biː ðə ˈdraɪvɪŋ ˌfɔːʳs/ [verb phrase]
to be the most important person in changing or developing something because you have so much energy and determination :
▪ James is the senior partner in the firm, but it is Peter who is the driving force.
be the driving force behind
▪ Carlsson has been the driving force behind the bank’s ambitious expansion plans.
▷ be instrumental in /biː ˌɪnstrɑˈmentl ɪn/ [verb phrase]
to be important in making something possible, especially because of the things you do to achieve it :
▪ Mary had been instrumental in securing my release from jail.
▪ Women’s organizations have been instrumental in promoting women’s rights.
9. to make someone or something less important
▷ downgrade /ˈdaʊngreɪd, daʊnˈgreɪdǁˈdaʊngreɪd/ [transitive verb]
to make something less important, valuable, or powerful, especially by giving it less money or support :
▪ The professor claims that the government is deliberately downgrading scientific research.
▪ Economic advisers in Washington have been discussing whether to downgrade foreign loans.
▷ devalue /diːˈvæljuː/ [transitive verb]
to make someone or something seem less important or valuable :
▪ They’re always trying to devalue my contribution to the department.
▷ relegate /ˈrelɪgeɪt, ˈreləgeɪt/ [transitive verb usually in passive]
to give someone or something a less important position than before :
relegate to
▪ Carlo has been relegated to a more junior position in the company.
▪ Our team were relegated to a minor league.