imperative

imperative
I UK [ɪmˈperətɪv] / US adjective
1) formal extremely important and urgent

Long-term investing is risky, and careful planning is imperative.

it is imperative (that):

It is imperative that these claims are dealt with quickly.

it is imperative to do something:

It was imperative to maintain peace and stability in the region.

2) formal an imperative voice or way of speaking is confident and determined and shows that you expect to be obeyed
3) linguistics the imperative form of a verb expresses an order to do something

II UK [ɪmˈperətɪv] / US noun
Word forms "imperative":
singular imperative plural imperatives
1) [countable] formal something that is very important and urgent
a moral/political/economic imperative (= something that must be done because it is right):

Solidarity between rich and poor nations is a moral imperative.

2) [singular] linguistics the form of a verb that expresses orders. The imperative is also called the imperative mood.

English dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Imperative — Im*per a*tive, a. [L. imperativus, fr. imperare to command; pref. im in + parare to make ready, prepare: cf. F. imp[ e]ratif. See {Perade}, and cf. {Empire}.] 1. Expressive of command; containing positive command; authoritatively or absolutely… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Imperative — can mean: *Imperative mood, a grammatical mood expressing commands, direct requests, and prohibitions *Imperative programming, a programming paradigm in computer science *Moral imperative, a philosophical concept relating to obligation …   Wikipedia

  • imperative — I adjective compulsory, critical, crucial, demanding, essential, exigent, impero, indispensable, mandatory, necessary, needful, obligatory, pressing, required, requiring immediate attention, requisite, unavoidable, urgent associated concepts:… …   Law dictionary

  • imperative — [im per′ə tiv] adj. [LL imperativus, commanding < pp. of L imperare, to command: see EMPEROR] 1. having the nature of, or indicating, power or authority; commanding [an imperative gesture] 2. absolutely necessary; urgent; compelling [it is… …   English World dictionary

  • Imperative — Im*per a*tive, n. (Gram.) The imperative mood; also, a verb in the imperative mood. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • imperative — [adj1] necessary acute, burning, clamant, clamorous, compulsory, critical, crucial, crying, essential, exigent, immediate, important, importunate, indispensable, inescapable, insistent, instant, no turning back*, obligatory, pressing, urgent,… …   New thesaurus

  • imperative — 1 peremptory, imperious, *masterful, domineering Analogous words: commanding, ordering, bidding (see COMMAND vb): magisterial, *dictatorial, dogmatic, oracular: arbitrary, autocratic, despotic (see ABSOLUTE) Contrasted words: supplicating or… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • imperative — ► ADJECTIVE 1) of vital importance. 2) giving an authoritative command. 3) Grammar denoting the mood of a verb that expresses a command or exhortation, as in come here! ► NOUN ▪ an essential or urgent thing. DERIVATIVES imperatively adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • imperative — I adj. 1) imperative to + inf. (it is imperative to act now) 2) imperative that + clause; subj. (it is imperative that you be/should be present) II n. 1) a moral imperative 2) an imperative that + clause; subj. (it is a moral imperative that no… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • imperative — im|per|a|tive1 [ ım perətıv ] adjective 1. ) FORMAL extremely important and urgent: Long term investing is risky, and careful planning is imperative. it is imperative (that): It is imperative that these claims are dealt with quickly. it is… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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