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imperative

Pronunciation: /ɪmˈpɛrətɪv/

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Definition of imperative

adjective

  • 1of vital importance; crucial:immediate action was imperative [with clause]:it is imperative that standards are maintained
  • 2giving an authoritative command; peremptory:the bell pealed again, a final imperative call
  • Grammar denoting the mood of a verb that expresses a command or exhortation, as in come here!.

noun

  • 1an essential or urgent thing:free movement of labour was an economic imperative
  • a factor or influence making something necessary:the biological imperatives which guide male and female behaviour
  • 2 Grammar a verb or phrase in the imperative mood.
  • (the imperative) the imperative mood.

Derivatives

imperatival

Pronunciation: /ɪmˌpɛrəˈtʌɪv(ə)l/

adjective

imperatively

adverb

imperativeness

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (as a grammatical term): from late Latin imperativus (literally 'specially ordered', translating Greek prostatikē enklisis 'imperative mood'), from imperare 'to command', from in- 'towards' + parare 'make ready'

Grammar

The imperative is the form of the verb used to make commands:‘Go away!’ cried Mary. It consists of the stem of the verb. Imperative clauses have a special form. They resemble a normal clause, but there is no subject. In effect the subject is you, but it is not stated:‘(You) go away!’ cried Mary.

imperative in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of imperative in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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