all-important

adjective

all-im·​por·​tant ˌȯl-im-ˈpȯr-tᵊnt How to pronounce all-important (audio)
-tənt
Synonyms of all-importantnext
: of very great or greatest importance
an all-important question

Synonyms of all-important

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her conversation with John also divulges the depths of his entwinement with current ring-bearer Hal Jordan, via a flashback to when John was a baby, in the all-important year of 1986. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 These islands are located in an all-important eastern section of the tropical Pacific that is key to El Niño’s formation and intensification. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 Anutin’s support turned many of them into canvassers for Bhumjaithai—an electoral masterstroke, given that Thai elections are often won and lost in these provincial areas, where vote-canvasser networks are all-important. — Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026 This annual fete draws nearly 100,000 visitors and celebrates the all-important apple harvest. — Katy Spratte Joyce, Midwest Living, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for all-important

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of all-important was in 1748

Rhymes for all-important

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Browse Nearby Words

Alliklik
all-important
all-in
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Cite this Entry

“All-important.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-important. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

all-important

adjective
all-im·​por·​tant
ˌȯ-lim-ˈpȯrt-ᵊnt, 
-ənt
: of very great importance
an all-important question
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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