Imperative

/ɪmˈpɛr.ə.tɪv/

Meaning & Definition

noun
an essential or urgent thing.
Staying healthy is a personal imperative for many people.
a command or order.
The military operates under a strict imperative to follow orders.
adjective
of vital importance; crucial.
It is imperative that we meet the deadline to ensure project success.
giving an authoritative command; peremptory.
The manager issued an imperative order for all employees to attend the meeting.

Etymology

Derived from Latin 'imperativus', from 'imperare' meaning 'to command'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

imperative mood
The grammatical mood used to express commands.
taking imperative action
Taking necessary steps that are urgently required.
it's imperative to...
It is crucial or necessary to do something.

Related Words

command
An authoritative order.
requirement
Something that is needed or demanded.
necessity
The state of being required or indispensable.

Slang Meanings

Mandatory
It's imperative that you show up on time, or else you'll miss the bus!
Essential or crucial
In this game, knowing the rules is imperative if you want to win.