bedeutender

Bedeutender is a German adjective that serves as the comparative form of bedeutend, meaning more significant or more important. It is used to compare the relative importance, meaning, or influence of two or more things, people, or events.

Etymology and sense: Bedeutend derives from be- plus deuten, with the sense of bearing meaning or indicating significance. The adjective describes something with notable importance, relevance, or impact. In German, it is closely related to synonyms such as bedeutsam and wichtig, though bedeutend often emphasizes broader or historical significance.

Usage and grammar: Bedeutender can appear in predicative position after forms of être or sein, as in Dieses Ereignis ist bedeutender als jenes. It also occurs attributively with nouns, for example, ein bedeutender Wissenschaftler or eine bedeutende Entdeckung. The superlative is am bedeutendsten (e.g., Sie gilt als eine der bedeutendsten Schriftstellerinnen). When declined with articles, the endings follow standard German adjective declension rules (e.g., der bedeutendere Mann, dem bedeutenden Mann, einen bedeutenden Mann).

Nuance and scope: While bedeutend expresses significance or importance, the nuance varies with context. Bedeutsam is often used for a more pointed or essential significance, whereas bedeutend can refer to general importance, influence, or historical relevance. In English translations, bedeutender is typically rendered as "more significant" or, depending on context, "more important."

See also: bedeutsam, wichtig, signifikant.