adj.
Pronunciation: im- ' po ̇ r-t ə nt, esp Southern & NewEng -t ə nt, -d ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English importante, from Medieval Latin important-, importans, present participle of importare to signify ― more at IMPORT
Date: 15th century
1 : marked by or indicative of significant worth or consequence : valuable in content or relationship
2 obsolete : IMPORTUNATE , URGENT
3 : giving evidence of a feeling of self-importance
usage see IMPORTANTLY