Definition of Imperative

Babylon English

imperative
adj. necessary, obligatory; commanding; of the imperative mood, of the form used when making an order or request (Grammar); of a verb in the imperative mood (Grammar)
n. necessity, obligation; command, order; imperative mood, form used when making an order or request (Grammar); verb in the imperative mood (Grammar)

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Imperative definition was found in categories: Language, Idioms & Slang(7) Arts & Humanities(1) Business & Finance(1) Encyclopedia(1)

Imperative Definition from Language, Idioms & Slang Dictionaries & Glossaries

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Imperative
(n.)
The imperative mood; also, a verb in the imperative mood.

(a.)
Not to be avoided or evaded; obligatory; binding; compulsory; as, an imperative duty or order.

(a.)
Expressive of commund, entreaty, advice, or exhortation; as, the imperative mood.

(a.)
Expressive of command; containing positive command; authoritatively or absolutely directive; commanding; authoritative; as, imperative orders.

WordNet 2.0

imperative

Noun
1. a mood that expresses an intention to influence the listener's behavior
(synonym) imperative mood, jussive mood
(hypernym) mood, mode, modality
2. some duty that is essential and urgent
(hypernym) duty, responsibility, obligation

Adjective
1. requiring attention or action; "as nuclear weapons proliferate, preventing war becomes imperative"; "requests that grew more and more imperative"
(antonym) beseeching
(similar) adjuratory
(see-also) assertive
2. relating to verbs in the imperative mood
(pertainym) imperative mood, jussive mood
(classification) grammar

hEnglish - advanced version

imperative

imperative
\im*per"a*tive\ (?), a. [l. imperativus, fr. imperare to command; pref. im- in + parare to make ready, prepare: cf. f. impératif. see perade, and cf. empire.]
1. expressive of command; containing positive command; authoritatively or absolutely directive; commanding; authoritative; as, imperative orders. the suit of kings are imperative. hall.
2. not to be avoided or evaded; obligatory; binding; compulsory; as, an imperative duty or order.
3. (gram.) expressive of commund, entreaty, advice, or exhortation; as, the imperative mood.
imperative
\im*per"a*tive\, n. (gram.) the imperative mood; also, a verb in the imperative mood.
imperative
adj
1. requiring attention or action; "as nuclear weapons proliferate, preventing war becomes imperative"; "requests that grew more and more imperative" [ant: beseeching]
2. (grammar) relating to verbs in the imperative mood n 1: a mood that expresses an intention to influence the listener's behavior [syn: imperative mood, jussive mood ]
2: some duty that is essential and urgent

similar words(2)

imperative mood
imperative language