Word Explorer
Children's
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
Intermediate Dictionary        

im·per·a·tive

imperative

 
 
pronunciation:
ihm per tihv
features:
Word Parts
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: very important; urgent.
It is imperative that you return today.
synonyms:
critical, crucial, essential, indispensable, urgent, vital
antonyms:
optional, unimportant
similar words:
compulsory, inevitable, necessary
definition 2: of or describing the mood of the verb used to make demands or give orders.
In the sentence, "Come here!" the verb "come" is imperative.
derivations: imperatively (adv.), imperativeness (n.)
Word PartsSubscriber feature About this feature