B1noun1K

Importance

UK /["/ɪmˈpɔːtns/"]/US /["/ɪmˈpɔːrtns/"]/

Definition

the quality of being important

In simple words: How much something matters.

Examples

  • The importance of education cannot be overstated.
  • Understanding the importance of teamwork is crucial for success.
  • He stressed the importance of eating healthy food.
  • In this project, we will discuss the importance of environmental conservation.
  • She realized the importance of family support during difficult times.

Usage notes

Use 'importance' in discussions that require an objective level of significance. It's suitable for academic and professional contexts but may sound too serious in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

importance + of + noun

Memory hint

Think of 'import' as something you'd want to bring in—its importance is high!

Collocations

  • cardinal
  • central
  • considerable
  • have
  • assume
  • take on
  • lie in something
  • of… importance
  • importance  for
  • importance  to
  • in order of importance
  • a matter of grave importance
  • a matter of great importance

Synonyms

  • significance
  • value
  • relevance
  • worthiness
  • consequence

Antonyms

  • triviality
  • insignificance
  • unimportance

Common mistakes

  • 'Importance' is often confused with 'important', which is an adjective.
  • Some learners use 'importance' with incorrect prepositions, like 'importance for' instead of 'importance of'.
  • Confusion between 'importance' and 'significance' in context.