important

Important is an adjective used to describe something with great significance, value, or relevance. The term is often applied to decisions, events, information, or people when their impact is substantial or consequential. What is considered important can vary by context and perspective.

Etymology: The word comes from Old French important, from Latin importantem, the present participle of importare meaning "to bring in" or "to carry in." The sense "bearing on a matter; having great significance" developed in English by the 16th century.

Usage and grammar: It is a gradable adjective: more important, most important. Common collocations include "the most important issue" and "an important decision." It often appears with constructions such as "It is important to..." In formal writing, it can be replaced with synonyms like significant, crucial, essential, or relevant, depending on nuance.

Nuances and distinctions: Important is broad and general, while essential implies necessity, crucial signals decisive impact, significant emphasizes measurable importance, and relevant stresses applicability to a topic. The noun form importance refers to the quality of being significant, as in "the importance of education."

Related terms and usage: Related terms include importance and significance, which refine the sense of impact, and relevance, which emphasizes applicability to a topic. These words are often used interchangeably but carry distinct shades of meaning in precise contexts.