momentous
gb/moʊmˈɛntəs/ us/moʊmˈɛntəs/
C1
English
~ 9300
sorsdöntő, nagy horderejű
C1
FORMAL
1
sorsdöntő
C1
Usage pattern:
a momentous [event/decision/change/occasion]
The signing of the peace treaty was a momentous event for the entire region.
A békeszerződés aláírása sorsdöntő esemény volt az egész régió számára.
She faced a momentous decision: whether to leave her secure job to start her own company.
Egy sorsdöntő döntéssel szembesült: otthagyja-e a biztos állását, hogy saját céget indítson.
Scientists described the discovery of the new vaccine as a momentous breakthrough.
The court's momentous ruling will affect millions of people for decades to come.
Winning the election marked a momentous change in the country's political direction.
Learner examples
Today is a momentous day for our family.
A mai nap sorsdöntő a családunk számára.
Moving to another country was a momentous decision for him.
A másik országba költözés sorsdöntő döntés volt számára.
The fall of the wall was a momentous event in Europe.
This new law is momentous because it will change many lives.
Their wedding was a momentous occasion for both families.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "momentous" with "momentary" because they look similar. "Momentous" means very important and serious, often with a big effect on the future. "Momentary" means very short in time. Learners also sometimes use "momentous" for small personal things (like "a momentous coffee"), where "special" or "nice" would be more natural.
Meaning
very important and consequential
Collocations
momentous decision
|momentous occasion
|momentous change
|momentous event
|momentous day
|momentous moment
Synonyms
historic (Often used for events that will be remembered in history books.)
|
significant (Slightly less strong; may suggest importance without the same sense of great weight or drama.)
|
momentous (Stronger and more formal than just "important"; emphasizes lasting impact.)
Antonyms
trivial (Describes something unimportant and without serious consequences.)
|
insignificant (Suggests something so small in importance that it can almost be ignored.)
Themes
society
|history
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very important and serious, often because it will change the future in a big way.
Very important, especially because it will have strong and lasting effects on the future.
Grammar
Dictionary form
momentous
IPA
GB/moʊmˈɛntəs/
US/moʊmˈɛntəs/
Syllables & stress
mo - ment - ous (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ment)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: momentous
Word family
Core family
moment
noun A2
Related words
Advanced or less common
momentously
adverb
momentousness
noun
Expressions
a momentous change
1/ə moʊmˈɛntəs t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
formal
a major and far-reaching change
A very big change that strongly affects the future.
Examples
- The internet brought a momentous change to the way we communicate.
- The new constitution marked a momentous change in the country's political system.
a momentous day
1/ə moʊmˈɛntəs dˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
formal
a very important day
A day that is very important and will be remembered.
Examples
- It was a momentous day when their child was born.
- July 20, 1969, was a momentous day in the history of space exploration.
a momentous decision
1/ə moʊmˈɛntəs dɪsˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
formal
a very serious important choice
A very important choice that will strongly affect the future.
Examples
- Changing careers at fifty was a momentous decision for her.
- The government now faces a momentous decision about climate policy.
a momentous event
1/ə moʊmˈɛntəs ɪvˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
formal
an extremely important event
An event that is extremely important and has a big effect.
Examples
- The discovery of penicillin was a momentous event in medical history.
- For the small village, the arrival of electricity was a momentous event.
a momentous occasion
1/ə moʊmˈɛntəs ɔkˈeɪʒən/
fixed phrase
formal
a very important special event
A very important event that people will remember for a long time.
Examples
- Their graduation was a momentous occasion for the whole family.
- The opening of the new hospital was described as a momentous occasion for the town.