imperative

UK: /ɪmˈpɛrətɪv/ US: /ɪmˈpɛrətɪv/ ,(im per′ə tiv)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•per•a•tive /ɪmˈpɛrətɪv/   adj. 

1. absolutely necessary:
   [usually: It + be + ~ + (that) clause] It is imperative that we leave.
2. of the nature of, or expressing, a command;
   of or naming a grammatical mood used in commands, as in Listen! Go! Compare indicative (def. 2),subjunctive (def. 1).

n. 

3. [countable] a command;
   order.
4. an unavoidable requirement:
   [countable] the imperatives of leadership.
5. Grammar the imperative mood;
   a verb form in this mood:
   [uncountable* usually: the + ~] Use the imperative in this sentence.

im•per•a•tive•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•per•a•tive  (im per′ə tiv), adj. 

1. absolutely necessary or required;
   unavoidable:
   It is imperative that we leave.
2. of the nature of or expressing a command;
   commanding.
3. Grammar noting or pertaining to the mood of the verb used in commands, requests, etc., as in Listen! Go! Cf. indicative (def. 2), subjunctive (def. 1).

n. 

4. a command.
5. something that demands attention or action;
   an unavoidable obligation or requirement;
   necessity:
   It is an imperative that we help defend friendly nations.
6. Grammar
   • the imperative mood.
   • a verb in this mood.
7. an obligatory statement, principle, or the like.

• Late Latin imperātivus, equivalent. to Latin imperāt(us) past participle of imperāre to impose, order, command (im- im-¹ + -per- (combining form of parāre to fur-nish (with), produce, obtain, prepare) + -ātus -ate¹) + -īvus -ive
• 1520–30

im•per′a•tive•ly, adv. 
im•per′a•tive•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. inescapable; indispensable, essential; exigent, compelling.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

imperative / ɪmˈpɛrətɪv/ adjective

1. extremely urgent or important; essential
2. peremptory or authoritative: an imperative tone of voice
3. Also: imperatival / ɪmˌpɛrəˈtaɪv^əl/ denoting a mood of verbs used in giving orders, making requests, etc. In English the verb root without any inflections is the usual form, as for example leave in Leave me alone

noun

1. something that is urgent or essential
2. an order or command
3. the imperative mood
4. a verb in this mood

Etymology: 16th Century: from Late Latin imperātīvus, from Latin imperāre to command

imˈperatively adverb

imˈperativeness noun