Imperative
/ɪmˈpɛɹ.ə.tɪv/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 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. uncountable
"The verbs in sentences like "Do it!" and "Say what you like!" are in the imperative."
- 2 some duty that is essential and urgent wordnet
- 3 A verb in the imperative mood. countable
- 4 a verb in the imperative mood. wordnet
- 5 An essential action, a must: something which is imperative. countable
"Visiting Berlin is an imperative."
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- 6 a mood that expresses an intention to influence the listener's behavior wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Essential; crucial; extremely important.
"That you come here right now is imperative."
- 2 Of, or relating to the imperative mood.
- 3 Having semantics that incorporates mutable variables.
- 4 Expressing a command; authoritatively or absolutely directive.
"imperative orders"
Adjective
- 1 requiring attention or action wordnet
- 2 relating to verbs in the imperative mood wordnet
Example
More examples"It is imperative for you to act at once."
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin imperātīvus.