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1. Dictionary

   imperative

   /ɪmˈpɛrətɪv/

   adjective

   • 1. of vital importance; crucial: "immediate action was imperative" Similar vitally importantof vital importanceall-importantvitalcrucialcriticalessentialof the essencea matter of life and deathof great consequencenecessaryindispensableexigentpressingurgentrequiredcompulsorymandatoryobligatoryOpposite unimportantoptional
   • 2. giving an authoritative command; peremptory: "the bell pealed again, a final imperative call" Similar peremptorycommandingimperiousauthoritativemasterfullordlymagisterialautocraticdictatorialdomineeringoverbearingassertivefirminsistentbossyhigh-handedoverweeningOpposite submissive
   • ▪ denoting the mood of a verb that expresses a command or exhortation, as in come here!

   noun

   • 1. an essential or urgent thing: "free movement of labour was an economic imperative"
   • ▪ a factor or influence making something necessary: "the biological imperatives which guide male and female behaviour"
   • 2. a verb or phrase in the imperative mood.
   • ▪ the imperative mood.

   Word Origin late Middle English (as a grammatical term): from late Latin imperativus (literally ‘specially ordered’, translating Greek prostatikē enklisis ‘imperative mood’), from imperare ‘to command’, from in- ‘towards’ + parare ‘make ready’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. imperatival adjective
   • 2. imperatively adverb
   • 3. imperativeness noun

   Scrabble Points: 17

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishIMPERATIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   adjective. uk / ɪmˈper.ə.tɪv / us / ɪmˈper.ə.t̬ɪv / imperative adjective (URGENT) Add to word list. C2. extremely important or urgent: [ + that ] The president said it was imperative that the release of all hostages be secured. [ + to infinitive ] It's imperative to act now before the problem gets really serious.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › imperativeImperative Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › imperative

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   The meaning of IMPERATIVE is not to be avoided or evaded : necessary. How to use imperative in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Imperative.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › imperativeIMPERATIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › imperative

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   Imperative is a common word that describes something as being really important or necessary. The imperative mood is also commonly used. The equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is more than a moral imperative: It is key to solve the most pressing public health emergency of our time.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishIMPERATIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   An imperative is a verb in the base form that is used, usually without a subject, in an imperative clause.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › imperativeImperative - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › imperative

   noun. a mood that expresses an intention to influence the listener's behavior. synonyms: imperative form, imperative mood, jussive mood.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › imperativeImperative - definition of imperative by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › imperative

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   1. Necessary or urgent: "It is imperative that we continue to move with speed to make housing more affordable" (Timothy Geithner). See Synonyms at urgent. 2. Expressing a command or plea; peremptory: requests that grew more and more imperative. 3. Grammar Of, relating to, or constituting the mood that expresses a command or request. n. 1. a.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › imperative_1imperative adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › imperative_1

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   Definition of imperative adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.