English Dictionary

Definition of “imperative”

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imperative (ɪmˈpɛrətɪv)

Definitions

adjective

extremely urgent or important; essential
peremptory or authoritative ⇒ an imperative tone of voice
Also imperativalgrammar denoting a mood of verbs used in giving orders, making requests, etc. In English the verb root without any inflections is the usual form, as for example denoting a mood of verbs used in giving orders, making requests, etc. In English the verb root without any inflections is the usual form, as for example leave in denoting a mood of verbs used in giving orders, making requests, etc. In English the verb root without any inflections is the usual form, as for example in Leave me alone

noun

something that is urgent or essential
an order or command
grammar
1. the imperative mood
2. a verb in this mood

Alternative Forms

imˈperatively adverb imˈperativeness noun

Word Origin

C16: from Late Latin imperātīvus, from Latin imperāre to command

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry

= urgent, essential, pressing, vital, crucial, compulsory, indispensable, obligatory, exigent,

= commanding, lordly, authoritative, autocratic, dictatorial, imperious, domineering, magisterial, high-handed, peremptory,

Usage examples

She left the house around six-fifteen and wended her way home through the Grove with a sense of some imperative satisfied.
Clive Barker, THE GREAT AND SECRET SHOW (2001)
I love anything where I'm outside or on the water rollerblading, hiking, anything like that is imperative.
Maxim (2004)
Ms. Laurie says it's imperative the young orca be reunited with his pod.
Globe and Mail (2003)
When we observe it is imperative we accept causal consequence.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
This is the built-in missionary imperative of Nichiren Buddhism.
Montgomery, Daniel B, Fire in the Lotus - the dynamic Buddhism of Nichiren (1991)

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