imperative

noun

(uncountable, grammar) The grammatical mood expressing an order (see jussive). In English, the imperative form of a verb is the same as that of the bare infinitive.

(countable, grammar) A verb in the imperative mood.

(countable) An essential action, a must: something which is imperative.

adjective

Essential; crucial; extremely important.

Expressing a command; authoritatively or absolutely directive.

(grammar) Of, or relating to the imperative mood.

(computing theory) Having semantics that incorporates mutable variables.

Roots

imperoimper- · Latin · command, rule

Synonyms for imperative

essentialadj indispensableadj necessaryadj crucialadj vitaladj importantadj urgentadj imperativenessn exigencen criticaladj requisiteadj exigencyn jussiveadj urgencyn

Synonyms & related words for imperative

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of imperative — including essential, indispensable, necessary, crucial, vital, important. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to imperative

Explore words related to imperative — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include imperatival, adjuratory, imperatively, necessity, essentialness, indispensableness, hortative, indispensably. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for imperative

Common synonyms for imperative include essential, indispensable, necessary, crucial, vital, important, urgent, imperativeness — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does imperative come from?

The word imperative breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root imper-, from Latin impero (“command, rule”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.