imperative

im-per-a-tive · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    (Adjective) Of vital importance; crucial.

  2. 2.

    (Adjective) Giving an authoritative command; peremptory.

  3. 3.

    (Noun) An essential or urgent thing.

  4. 4.

    (Grammar) The mood of a verb that expresses a command or request.

Forms

plural: imperatives

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    moral imperative — an ethical obligation to act
  • •
    categorical imperative — (philosophy) Kant's principle of unconditional moral law
  • •
    imperative mood — grammatical form for commands

Related words

Antonyms: optional, unimportant, unnecessary
See also: crucial, essential, mandatory
Synonyms: crucial, essential, vital

Etymology

From Latin imperativus ("pertaining to a command"), from imperare ("to command"), from in- + parare ("to prepare, order"). Entered English in the 15th century.