importance
importance
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for importance is /ɪmˈpɔːrtəns/.
First Syllable (im-): /ɪm/ - The sound is a combination of the short i as in "it" and the m as in "man".
Second Syllable (-por-): /pɔːr/ - This is the stressed syllable. The sound is a combination of the p as in "pen" and the vowel sound in "four" followed by the r as in "red".
Third Syllable (-tance): /təns/ - The sound is a combination of the t as in "top", the schwa (the reduced vowel sound ə as in "about"), the n as in "no", and the s as in "say".
Word Form Variations
The term "importance" is primarily a noun, and its variations include:
Noun (Uncountable): importance (used for the general concept)
Noun (Countable/Plural): importances (rarely used, but sometimes used to mean "specific things that are important" or "degrees of importance")
Adjective: important
Adverb: importantly
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun: Importance
Definition 1 (Quality/State): The quality or state of being significant, valuable, or consequential. It refers to the weight or standing a thing, person, or action holds in a given context.
Synonyms: significance, consequence, moment, weight, relevance, gravity, value
Antonyms: insignificance, unimportance, triviality, paltriness
Definition 2 (Subjective/Contextual): The relative priority or attention assigned to a particular matter, often reflecting its perceived necessity, urgency, or effect on a desired outcome.
Synonyms: priority, urgency, precedence, seriousness
Antonyms: low priority, minor detail, secondary concern
Adjective: Important
Definition 1 (Descriptive): Having great consequence, meaning, or impact; essential to a favorable outcome or fundamentally affecting a situation.
Synonyms: significant, crucial, critical, vital, essential, momentous, material
Antonyms: unimportant, insignificant, trivial, minor, irrelevant, negligible
Adverb: Importantly
Definition 1 (Manner): In a manner that is significant or consequential. Often used to preface a statement that holds high relevance or is the most essential point of the preceding discussion.
Synonyms: significantly, crucially, materially, essentially, notably, above all
Antonyms: unimportantly, insignificantly, trivially, secondarily
Examples of Use
The word importance is widely used across various forms of communication. Here are several real-world examples demonstrating its use:
📰 News and Online Publications
"The government emphasized the importance of vaccinating high-risk groups to prevent a surge in hospitalizations."
"Analysts debated the importance of the new trade agreement on global supply chains, noting its potential to reshape markets." (The Wall Street Journal, October 2024)
"In her editorial, the author underscored the growing importance of media literacy in a digitally saturated world." (The Guardian, June 2024)
"A study published last month highlighted the importance of sleep hygiene for cognitive function in adolescents." (Scientific American, November 2024)
📚 Books and Literature
"He realized the fleeting nature of wealth and the true importance of character and family."
"The historian stressed the importance of primary sources in understanding the motivations of the ancient leaders."
"Despite its size, the tiny island held enormous strategic importance during the war."
"The novel explores the importance of human connection and the weight of loneliness in modern society."
🎬 Entertainment Media and Platforms
"During the interview, the director discussed the importance of practical effects over CGI in creating a sense of realism for the alien landscape." (Podcast Interview, September 2024)
"The fitness influencer’s latest video explains the importance of proper form when lifting weights to prevent injury." (YouTube, August 2024)
"A critic's review stated that the new album's layered sound design lends a deeper importance to the lyrics." (Music Magazine Review, May 2024)
"The celebrity chef stressed the importance of fresh, locally sourced ingredients for an authentic regional dish." (Cooking Show, November 2024)
🗣️ General Public Discourse
"I understand the importance of that deadline, and I'm working hard to meet it."
"My mother always taught me the importance of saving a little bit of money from every paycheck."
"The neighborhood meeting focused on the importance of community policing and citizen involvement in local safety."
"Can we discuss this later? Right now, the immediate importance is fixing this technical glitch."
10 Quotes Using Importance
"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance." (C. S. Lewis)
"Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun." (Randy Pausch)
"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence." (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
"Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases." (John Adams)
"Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained." (James A. Garfield)
"It is not who is right, but what is right, that is of importance." (Thomas Huxley)
"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." (Dale Carnegie)
"The importance of money flows from it being a link between the present and the future." (John Maynard Keynes)
"What an odd thing a diary is: the things you omit are more important than those you put in." (Simone de Beauvoir)
"The art of war is of vital importance to the State." (Sun Tzu)
Etymology
The word "importance" has a straightforward Latin origin, essentially meaning "the quality of carrying something in."
🌍 Origins
The word traces back through French and Medieval Latin:
Latin Root: importare: This is the core verb, meaning "to carry in," "to bring in," or "to convey."
It is formed from the prefix in- (meaning "in" or "into") and the verb portare (meaning "to carry").
Medieval Latin: importancia: This noun form developed to describe the meaning or significance being "carried in" or "conveyed" by a matter.
Old French: importance: The word passed into Old French, retaining the meaning of consequence or significance.
🕰️ First Known Use and Meaning
The English word "importance" was first used in the late 1500s (specifically, the late 16th century).
Original Meaning: When it was first adopted into English, the word directly reflected the meaning of its French predecessor: "significance" or "consequence."
In essence, when something is of importance, it carries a heavy weight of consequence or meaning into a situation—it "matters."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Importance
Phrases Using "Importance"
These phrases use the word directly to describe the level or type of significance something holds:
Of the utmost importance: Extremely critical or vital.
To attach importance to: To consider something to be significant or worth attention.
To minimize/downplay the importance of: To suggest or argue that something is less significant than it is thought to be.
To stress/emphasize the importance of: To highlight or draw attention to how crucial something is.
A matter of some importance: A subject that is moderately significant or consequential.
In order of importance: Arranged or prioritized based on degree of significance, from most to least important.
Idioms Using Synonyms
Since there are few established idioms that use the exact word "importance," these common idioms use synonyms like matter, weight, or consequence to convey a similar meaning of high significance:
A matter of life and death: Something that is extremely serious or critical; having the highest level of importance.
To carry weight: To have great influence, authority, or importance; often used when discussing opinions or decisions.
To make a difference: To have a significant effect or positive impact, indicating its importance.
To be of no consequence: To be unimportant, insignificant, or trivial (the opposite of importance).
To cut to the chase: To get to the point; to focus on the most important part of a discussion.
The bottom line: The most essential or most important fact; the final result or critical point.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of importance from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
