all-important

adjective

all-im·​por·​tant ˌȯl-im-ˈpȯr-tᵊnt 

-tənt

: of very great or greatest importance

an all-important question

Synonyms

• critical
• essential
• imperative
• indispensable
• integral
• must-have
• necessary
• necessitous
• needed
• needful
• required
• requisite
• vital

Examples of all-important in a Sentence

that all-important item for a successful birthday party: a fancily decorated cake with candles

Recent Examples on the Web

Mortgage rates remained in limbo to start this week but could finally break out in either direction starting Wednesday, as a slew of economic data will be released, ending Friday with the all-important monthly employment report. —Diana Olick, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025

Both of those things are true on the surface, but barely sum up that wild 90-minute ride, plus the all-important stoppage time. —Emily Olsen, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

Even if President Trump reverses his tariffs today, the damage already done - because the all-important fall retail market is already in play. —Rick Helfenbein, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

But the composition of today's College of Cardinals — and the electors who will form the all-important conclave — is unlike any that came before. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for all-important

• unimportant
• important

Kids Definition

all-important

adjective

all-im·​por·​tant

ˌȯ-lim-ˈpȯrt-ᵊnt,

-ənt

: of very great importance

an all-important question