Imperative Definition

imperative

English

Etymology

From Latin imperātīvus.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA: /ɪmˈpɛɹ.ə.tɪv/

Noun

imperative (countable and uncountable; plural imperatives)

1. (uncountable, grammar) 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.

   The verbs in sentences like "Do it!" and "Say what you like!" are in the imperative.

2. (countable, grammar) A verb in imperative mood.
3. (countable) An essential action, a must: something which is imperative.

   Visiting Berlin is an imperative.

Synonyms

• (grammatical mood) imperative mood

Derived terms

• first imperative (Latin grammar)
• second imperative (Latin grammar)

Adjective

imperative (comparative more imperative, superlative most imperative)

1. essential

   It is imperative that you come here right now.

2. (computing theory) Having a semantics that incorporates mutable variables.

Translations

Italian

Adjective

imperative pl.

1. feminine form of imperativo

Anagrams

• riempivate

Latin

Alternative forms

• inperātīvē

Etymology

From imperātīvus (“commanded”), from imperō (“command, order”), from im- (“form of in”) + parō (“prepare, arrange; intend”).

Adverb

imperātīvē (not comparable)

1. In an imperative manner, imperatively.

Related terms

References

• imperative in Charlton T. Lewis & Charles Short, A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1879

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