im‧por‧tant S1 W1 / ɪmpɔt ə nt $ -ɔr- / 形容词

1 an 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 people who are important have a lot of power or influence :

a very important customer

They carry guns because it makes them feel important .

THESAURUS

important having a big effect on people’s lives or on events in the future : an important decision | Good qualifications are increasingly important.

big important or serious : It’s a big decision. | a big problem

significant important enough to be noticeable or have a big effect : There 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 attention : The castle is the island’s most noteworthy feature. | The jury’s verdict was noteworthy for a number of reasons.

very important

essential very important, especially for the success, health, or safety of someone or something : It is essential to speak the local language. | essential supplies of food and clothing

vital/crucial extremely important, because without it there could be serious problems : His 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 effect : Wheeler had a key role in the development of the atom bomb. | Timing is key.

of great/considerable importance very important : In the construction industry, health and safety are of considerable importance.

momentous very important because it has a very great effect on the future : Momentous events were taking place in Russia. | a momentous decision

most important

main/chief/principal [仅用于名词前] most important : What was your main aim? | the principal reason for their decision | the chief cause of the recession

major [通常用于名词前] one of the most important or serious things : Smoking is a major cause of heart disease. | Street crime is a major problem.

central/primary [通常用于名词前] most important – used especially when talking about the main thing that people are discussing, worried about, or trying to do : Education will be the central issue in the election. | Our primary concern is passenger safety.

paramount / pærəmaʊnt / formal more important than anything else, so that you must consider it when deciding what to do : Airport security is of paramount importance. | The needs of the students are paramount.