importantly
gb/ɪmpˈɔɹtəntli/ us/ɪmpˈɔɹtəntli/
B1
English
~ 9200
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
relation
1
used to mark a key point
Used to show that the next thing you say is very important.
Usage pattern:
[Importantly], [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *important* instead of *importantly* at the start of a sentence (e.g. *Important, we must leave now*). The correct form as a sentence adverb is *Importantly, we must leave now.* Learners also mix *more important* and *more importantly*; in modern English, *More importantly, ...* is more common when introducing a new key point in speech or writing.
Synonyms
crucially (Often slightly stronger or more formal, stressing that something is essential.)
Antonyms
trivially (Suggests that what follows is of little real importance or consequence.)
Collocations
Importantly,
|more importantly
|most importantly
|and, more importantly,
Themes
communication
|logic
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Importantly, the report calls for immediate action on climate change.
- More importantly, everyone in the team felt safe and supported.
- Most importantly, we listened to what the customers actually wanted.
- Importantly, the law will protect small businesses as well as large companies.
- He apologized and, more importantly, promised that it would not happen again.
Learner examples
- Importantly, you must bring your passport to the test.
- More importantly, the children are happy and healthy.
- Most importantly, do not share your password with anyone.
adverb
formal
B2
property
2
in a significant or influential way
In a way that matters a lot or changes something in a big way.
Usage pattern:
[something] is importantly [adjective/changed]
Common mistake:
Learners may avoid this sense and use *very* or *a lot* instead, which can sound less formal (e.g. *The results are very different* instead of *importantly different*). Also, some may confuse *important* and *importantly* and write *The results are important different*, which is incorrect; it should be *importantly different* or *very different*.
Synonyms
significantly (More common in everyday and academic English; *importantly* can sound slightly more formal or stylistic.)
Antonyms
insignificantly (Stresses that the effect or difference is so small that it hardly matters.)
Collocations
importantly different
|differs importantly
|changed importantly
|contribute importantly
|importantly related
Themes
science
|business
|analysis
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The two groups are importantly different in age and income.
- These findings are importantly linked to earlier research on sleep and memory.
- Public transport has improved importantly over the last decade in this region.
- Technology now plays an importantly larger role in how students learn.
- Education contributes importantly to economic growth.
Learner examples
- The new rule is importantly different from the old rule.
- This change will importantly affect our company.
- The two plans are importantly similar in their main goals.
adverb
informal
C1
property
3
in a self-important manner
In a way that shows a person thinks they are very important.
Usage pattern:
[someone] [verb] importantly
Common mistake:
Learners may think this always means that something is serious or significant. In this sense, it describes a person's proud or show-off behavior, not the real importance of the situation.
Synonyms
pompously (Often sounds more negative or critical, suggesting the person is overly serious and proud.)
Antonyms
modestly (Describes behaving without showing off or acting as if you are important.)
Collocations
walked importantly
|nodded importantly
|said importantly
|announced importantly
|smiled importantly
Themes
character
|emotions
|communication
Examples
- He nodded importantly, as if he had solved the whole problem by himself.
- The boy walked importantly to the front of the class to collect his prize.
- She smiled importantly when everyone turned to hear her opinion.
- The manager cleared his throat and said importantly, "I have made a decision."
- They sat importantly at the head table, enjoying all the attention.
Learner examples
- The child walked importantly after winning the game.
- He looked around the room importantly before he started to speak.
- She closed the book importantly and stood up.
Grammar
Dictionary form
importantly
IPA
GB/ɪmpˈɔɹtəntli/
US/ɪmpˈɔɹtəntli/
Syllables & stress
im - port - antly (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (port)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: importantly
- Plural: importantlies
Word family
Forms
importantlies
noun
Core family
important
adjective A2
importance
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
unimportant
adjective B1
Expressions
more importantly
1/mˈɔɹ ɪmpˈɔɹtəntli/
fixed phrase
introducing a more important point
Used to say that the next thing you say is more important than what you said just before.
Examples
- The meal was cheap and tasty; more importantly, it was healthy.
- She is clever and, more importantly, very kind to other people.
- We need more staff and, more importantly, better training for the staff we already have.
most importantly
1/mˈoʊst ɪmpˈɔɹtəntli/
fixed phrase
introducing the most important point
Used to say that the next thing you say is the most important point of all.
Examples
- Most importantly, everyone arrived home safely after the storm.
- The project was late and over budget, but, most importantly, it still met the safety standards.
- Most importantly, remember to stay calm in an emergency.