imperative
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1im·per·a·tive
adjective \im-ˈper-ə-tiv, -ˈpe-rə-\Definition of IMPERATIVE
1
a : of, relating to, or constituting the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another b : expressive of a command, entreaty, or exhortation c : having power to restrain, control, and direct
2
: not to be avoided or evaded : necessary <an imperative duty>
— im·per·a·tive·ly adverb
— im·per·a·tive·ness noun
See Examples of IMPERATIVE
- “Eat your spinach!” is an imperative sentence.
- “Help” in the sentence “Help me!” is an imperative verb.
- a verb in the imperative mood
- People resented his imperative tone of voice.
- … I have begun to feel each time as if I am mutilating my antennae (which is how Rastafarians, among others, think of hair) and attenuating my power. It seems imperative not to cut my hair anymore. —Alice Walker, Living by the Word, (1981) 1988
- This strange and distorted form of breathing could be interrupted for a minute or two by a strong effort of will, but would then resume its bizarre and imperative character. —Oliver Sacks, Awakenings, 1973
- We had a long and interesting evening with the Katzenbachs. He and Lyndon discussed the imperative need to make Washington a law-abiding city and how to go about it. —Lady Bird Johnson, 27 Jan. 1965, A White House Diary, 1970
- [+]more
Origin of IMPERATIVE
Middle English imperatyf, from Late Latin imperativus, from Latin imperatus, past participle of imperare to command — more at emperor
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to IMPERATIVE
- Synonyms
- compulsory, forced, mandatory, incumbent, involuntary, necessary, nonelective, obligatory, peremptory, required
See Synonym Discussion at masterful
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
Rhymes with IMPERATIVE
2im·per·a·tive
noun \im-ˈper-ə-tiv, -ˈpe-rə-\Definition of IMPERATIVE
1
: the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another or a verb form or verbal phrase expressing it
2
: something that is imperative (see 1imperative): as a : command, order b : rule, guide c : an obligatory act or duty d : an obligatory judgment or proposition
Examples of IMPERATIVE
- She considers it a moral imperative to help people in need.
- “Eat your spinach!” is in the imperative.
- “Go” and “buy” are imperatives in the sentence “Please go to the store and buy some milk.”
- Ellroy has got to be the only writer who still uses “dig” as an imperative … —Laura Miller, New York Times Book Review, 20 May 2001
- Indeed, under pressure from a new way of life in which radiant heat from woodburning stoves must circulate unimpeded by dividers, virtually every house with a chimney today has abandoned the closed-door imperative of the high-technology kitchen. —Maxine Kumin, In Deep, 1987
- “Maturity” had been a code word … for marriage and settling down; “growth” implied a plurality of legitimate options, if not a positive imperative to keep moving from one insight or experience to the next. —Barbara Ehrenreich, New York Times Magazine, 20 May 1984
- [+]more
Origin of IMPERATIVE
(see 1imperative)
First Known Use: 1530
Related to IMPERATIVE
- Synonyms
- behest, charge, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, directive, do, edict, command, injunction, instruction, order, word
im·per·a·tive
adjective \im-ˈper-ət-iv\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of IMPERATIVE
: eliciting a motor response <an imperative stimulus>
Learn More About IMPERATIVE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: imperator
Previous Word in the Dictionary: imperatival
All Words Near: imperative
Previous Word in the Dictionary: imperatival
All Words Near: imperative
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up imperative? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
