20 Ways to Say “Important”

20 Ways to Say “Important” in English (with Meanings and Examples)

Hello English learners! Welcome to a new lesson. The word important is extremely useful, but repeating it too often can make your English sound basic or repetitive. To sound more fluent, precise, and advanced, especially at B2 and C1 levels, it is helpful to use a wider range of vocabulary. In this lesson, you will learn 20 powerful alternatives to “important”, along with clear meanings and natural example sentences. These words are especially useful for essays, presentations, and Cambridge exam tasks.

Strong Alternatives to “Important”

Essential

Meaning: absolutely necessary; something that cannot be ignored.

• It is essential to have a clear strategy before launching a new product.
• Water is essential for all forms of life.

Crucial

Meaning: extremely important and often decisive.

• Meeting deadlines is crucial for maintaining professional credibility.
• Regular revision is crucial for exam success.

Significant

Meaning: important because of its impact or influence.

• The research produced significant results.
• His contribution to the project was highly significant.

Vital

Meaning: necessary for survival or success.

• Access to fresh air and sunlight is vital for good health.
• Proper training is vital for workplace safety.

Paramount

Meaning: more important than anything else.

• Passenger safety is of paramount importance in aviation.
• Protecting children is paramount during construction work.

Fundamental

Meaning: forming the basic foundation of something.

• Understanding grammar is fundamental to language learning.
• Trust is fundamental to strong relationships.

Critical

Meaning: extremely important, often involving urgency.

• It is critical to address environmental problems immediately.
• The patient’s condition is critical.

Key

Meaning: extremely important or central to success.

• Communication is key to effective teamwork.
• Preparation is key to achieving good results.

Necessary

Meaning: required for a specific purpose.

• It is necessary to have a valid passport before travelling abroad.
• Regular maintenance is necessary to prevent equipment failure.

Indispensable

Meaning: so important that it cannot be replaced.

• Skilled staff are indispensable to the company’s success.
• Her leadership proved indispensable during the crisis.

Words Showing Importance or Influence

Noteworthy

Meaning: worthy of attention or recognition.

• Her noteworthy achievements earned her an award.
• The report contained several noteworthy findings.

Meaningful

Meaning: important in a personal or emotional way.

• The ceremony was a meaningful tribute to the volunteers.
• Volunteering can be a meaningful experience.

Weighty

Meaning: very serious or important, often involving responsibility.

• The judge faced a weighty decision.
• He carried the weighty responsibility of leading the organisation.

Major

Meaning: very large or highly significant.

• The company announced a major expansion.
• The discovery was a major breakthrough in science.

Principal

Meaning: the main or primary aspect.

• Education is one of the principal concerns of modern society.
• The principal aim of the meeting was to discuss funding.

Words Showing Urgency or Priority

Urgent

Meaning: requiring immediate action.

• The situation required urgent attention.
• Doctors responded to the patient’s urgent condition.

Imperative

Meaning: extremely important and necessary to do immediately.

• It is imperative to reduce environmental pollution.
• It is imperative that governments invest in education.

Words Showing Central Importance

Central

Meaning: forming the main or most important part.

• Education plays a central role in social development.
• The central theme of the novel is identity.

Foremost

Meaning: most important or leading in a particular area.

• She is one of the foremost experts in renewable energy.
• Safety is the foremost priority in construction work.

Salient

Meaning: the most noticeable or important feature.

• The report highlighted several salient points.
• The salient features of the product include its advanced technology.

Final Tip for Learners

When writing essays or speaking in exams, try to avoid repeating important. Instead, choose vocabulary that matches the situation. For example:

• Use crucial / vital / imperative for urgency
• Use fundamental / central / key for core ideas
• Use significant / noteworthy / major for impact

Using different ways to say important will make your English sound more sophisticated, natural, and exam-ready.

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