importantly

importantly — adverb

1. used to mark a statement as the most significant point among a group of related

1.adverbB1
Definition

used to mark a statement as the most significant point among a group of related points the speaker is making

Example

The restaurant is cheap and convenient. More importantly, the food is cooked fresh every day.

"more importantly" introducing the main point

The scholarship covered tuition fees for Arjun and, more importantly, gave him access to top research facilities.

"more importantly" linking two related benefits

Common collocations
  • more importantly
  • most importantly
  • and importantly
  • but importantly
Synonyms
  • significantly

    same discourse-marker function; neutral in register

  • notably

    slightly less emphatic; focuses on the fact being worthy of attention

  • crucially

    stresses that the point is essential or decisive

  • above all

    more informal; used in everyday conversation

Grammar Patterns

more importantly, [sentence]

most importantly, [sentence]

[clause]; importantly, [clause]

Usage Note

In this sense, importantly does not modify a single verb — it modifies the whole statement that follows (or precedes) it, signalling that the speaker considers it the most noteworthy point. The collocations more importantly and most importantly are far more frequent than the bare form in speech.

Common Mistakes

Importantly, he spoke at the meeting.' (ambiguous — sounds like the manner adverb sense).
More importantly, he spoke at the meeting.
Adding 'more' or 'most' removes the ambiguity and clearly signals the discourse-marker sense.

2. in a manner that carries great weight, meaning, or seriousness — used to describ

2.adverbB2
Definition

in a manner that carries great weight, meaning, or seriousness — used to describe how an action is performed

Example

The ambassador spoke importantly about the need for peace in the region.

"importantly" modifying "spoke" as a manner adverb

A large sign above the door importantly warned visitors of the dangerous chemicals inside.

adverb modifying reporting verb "warned"

Common collocations
  • importantly noted
  • importantly warned
  • importantly marked
  • importantly reminded
Synonyms
  • significantly

    more common in both spoken and written English

  • meaningfully

    suggests deeper purpose or consequence

  • notably

    weaker in force; simply means 'in a way that is worthy of notice'

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

verb + importantly

be + importantly + past participle

Usage Note

This sense functions as a regular manner adverb modifying the verb directly. It is considerably less common in everyday speech than the sentence-adverb sense (sense 1). Learners should prefer the sense 1 discourse-marker use in most conversations; this manner sense fits formal or written registers better.

Common Mistakes

She importantly noted that the meeting starts at three.' (ambiguous — could be sentence adverb).
She noted importantly that the meeting starts at three.
Placing importantly after the verb makes the manner-adverb reading clear.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four can introduce a key point, but they differ in strength and register. Significantly is the closest neutral synonym and works in most contexts. Notably places more focus on the fact being remarkable or worth singling out, often in lists. Crucially carries a sense of necessity — without the point that follows, the outcome would be different. Above all is the most informal of the group and suits everyday conversation or personal reflection: 'I want a job that pays well — above all, one that I enjoy.' In formal academic or business writing, more importantly or most importantly are the safest choices; significantly and notably are also common but slightly weaker in emphasis.

significantly ↗notably ↗crucially ↗above all ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • less importantly
  • equally importantly

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed by adding the suffix -ly to the adjective important, which came into English from French (important) in the 16th century. The French word traces back to Latin importans, the present participle of importare — literally 'to bring in,' but also used figuratively to mean 'to be of consequence.' The discourse-marker sense (sentence adverb) developed in the 20th century and is now the most common use.