Etymograph

English

important

Important comes from Middle English important, from Medieval Latin importāns.

  1. Medieval Latinc. 600–1500importāns1as important-
  2. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500important1
  3. Englishearliest quotation 1811important1

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed deepest recorded ancestor

  1. 1 Wiktionary, English important
  2. Earliest quotation in Wiktionary’s entry: 1811, Jane Austen, London: […] C[harles] Roworth: “[…] It is a match that must give universal…”.

Lineage

  1. Medieval Latinc. 600–1500importānsWiktionary, English importantas important-
  2. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500importantWiktionary, English important
  3. Englishearliest quotation 1811importantWiktionary, English important. Earliest quotation in Wiktionary’s entry: 1811, Jane Austen, London: […] C[harles] Roworth: “[…] It is a match that must give universal…”

Equivalent to import ‘to be important’ + -ant

Latin portō ‘to carry, bear’

Latin importō ‘bring in from abroad, import’

Old French emporter

Middle English importen

English import

Every English word from Medieval Latin importāns

Today it means

adj Having relevant and crucial value; having import.

Sources

Sources: Wiktionary, “important”. By Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0, via kaikki.org (dump of Oct 3 2026); text adapted and restructured. Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word. License.

Etymograph / Medieval Latin importāns / important

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