imperative
imperative
adjective
/ɪmˈperətɪv/
1 ​not usually before noun (formal) very important and needing immediate attention or action
synonym vital
imperative (that…) It is absolutely imperative that we finish by next week.
imperative (to do something) It is imperative to continue the treatment for at least two months.
The collapse of the wall made it imperative to keep the water out by some other means.
We consider it absolutely imperative to start work immediately.
Language Bank vital
Collocations
verbs
be
seem
become
adverb
absolutely
2 ​(formal) expressing authority
an imperative tone
​3 only before noun (grammar) expressing an order
an imperative sentence
Topics Language B1
imperative
noun
/ɪmˈperətɪv/
1. ​(formal) a thing that is very important and needs immediate attention or action; a factor that makes something necessary
the economic imperative of quality education for all
the biological imperatives that guide male and female behaviour
2 ​(grammar) the form of a verb that expresses an order; a verb in this form
‘Go away!’ is an imperative.
in the imperative In ‘Go away!’ the verb is in the imperative.
Topics Language B1
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’.