Definition of imperative Imperative

/ɪmpɛˈɹʌtɪv/ - [imperutiv] - im•per•a•tive

We found 17 definitions of imperative from 6 different sources.

What does imperative mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: imperatives
imperative - some duty that is essential and urgent
imperative - a mood that expresses an intention to influence the listener's behavior
		imperative mood, jussive mood, imperative form
Adjective
imperative - requiring attention or action; "as nuclear weapons proliferate, preventing war becomes imperative"; "requests that grew more and more imperative"
		beseeching, imploring, pleading begging
		assertive, self-asserting, self-assertive aggressively self-assured; "an energetic assertive boy who was always ready to argue"; "pointing directly at a listener is an assertive act"
		adjuratory containing a solemn charge or command
		clamant, crying, exigent, insistent, instant demanding attention; "clamant needs"; "a crying need"; "regarded literary questions as exigent and momentous"- H.L.Mencken; "insistent hunger"; "an instant need"
		peremptory putting an end to all debate or action; "a peremptory decree"
		desperate showing extreme courage; especially of actions courageously undertaken in desperation as a last resort; "made a last desperate attempt to reach the climber"; "the desperate gallantry of our naval task forces marked the turning point in the Pacific war"- G.C.Marshall; "they took heroic measures to save his life"
		pressing, urgent compelling immediate action; "too pressing to permit of longer delay"; "the urgent words `Hurry! Hurry!'"; "bridges in urgent need of repair"
imperative - relating to verbs in the imperative mood
		grammar the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)

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Wiktionary

imperative (Noun)
The grammatical mood expressing an order see jussive. In English, the imperative form of a verb is the same as that of the bare infinitive.
imperative (Noun)
A verb in imperative mood.
imperative (Noun)
An essential action, a must: something which is imperative.
imperative (Adjective)
essential.
imperative (Adjective)
Having a semantics that incorporates mutable variables.
imperative (Adjective)
Of, or relating to the imperative mood .

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

imperative (a.)
Expressive of command; containing positive command; authoritatively or absolutely directive; commanding; authoritative; as, imperative orders.
imperative (a.)
Not to be avoided or evaded; obligatory; binding; compulsory; as, an imperative duty or order.
imperative (a.)
Expressive of commund, entreaty, advice, or exhortation; as, the imperative mood.
imperative (n.)
The imperative mood; also, a verb in the imperative mood.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

imperative
Conjugation form of a verb.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

imperative
im-per′a-tiv, adj. expressive of command: authoritative: peremptory: obligatory.—adv. Imper′atively.—Imperative mood, the form of a verb expressing command or advice; Categorical imperative (see under Category). [L. imperativus—imperāre, to command—in, in, parāre, to prepare.]