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cardinal

cardinal

21 5.0
Very important and basic to how something works
  • adjective
  • /ˈkɑrdɪnəl/
  • Formal
: fundamental
  • I'm breaking a cardinal rule.
  • a cardinal principle
  • a cardinal sin
  • cardinal virtues

So basically you can still apply that cardinal rule of flying jets.

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Examples

  • In the casino, the cardinal rule is to keep them playing... and keep them coming back.

  • But in surviving this last year, I was reminded of a cardinal rule.

  • And in so doing, he broke the cardinal rule.

  • Someone broke the Cardinal Rule.

  • "I determined to remember all the cardinal rules..."

  • So basically you can still apply that cardinal rule of flying jets.

  • - I broke the cardinal rule of journalism.

  • The frontline worker is of cardinal importance in the provision of good personal or home care.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Our rights are of cardinal importance to us, but we would not have you think us uncaring monsters.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • In any organization, following the cardinal principles of integrity and respect is essential for success.

Synonyms

important
vscardinal
∞ 1.0

A person or thing that matters a lot

is stronger, indicating an essential, foundational level of importance
main
vscardinal
∞ 1.0

Most important or central in a situation

is more about being an essential foundation than just being principal
greatest
vscardinal
∞ 1.0

Better than all others in quality or importance

is about being fundamentally necessary rather than simply largest in degree
key
vscardinal
∞ 2.0

Very important for something to work or succeed

is more about being a basic, foundational necessity overall
supreme
vscardinal
∞ 3.9

Highest in rank, quality, or importance

is focused on core essentiality rather than highest rank or degree
chief
vscardinal
991 3.2

The main thing that matters most

is about fundamental necessity rather than rank or position
primary
vscardinal
691 2.5

Being most important or basic

is about deep, fundamental importance rather than ordering or sequence
central
vscardinal
493 2.1

Very important and needed for something to work

is nearly the same but stresses being fundamentally necessary above all
fundamental
vscardinal
475 3.5

Very important and necessary for something to work

focuses more on general top importance rather than only core structure
crucial
vscardinal
437 3.6

Very important for the success or result of something

is steadier, pointing to core necessity rather than outcome decisiveness
pivotal
vscardinal
69 4.9

Very important for the success of something

is more general, stressing basic essential value not only outcome role
primal
vscardinal
49 6.2

Most basic and needed for life

is broader, indicating essential status rather than earliest origin
paramount
vscardinal
45 6.7

More important than anything else

is about essential foundational importance rather than outright supremacy
all-important
vscardinal
41 4.0

Very necessary for a decision or success

is similar but highlights basic foundational importance rather than emphasis
vital for
vscardinal
24 3.9

Very important for something to happen or succeed

is broader, marking core importance not only necessity for one purpose
of the essence
vscardinal
  • Formal
21 5.3

Very important and needed right away

is essential but emphasizes being a basic underlying principle

Antonyms

102 4.1

Not important or too small to matter

Compounds

1 8.9

One of the four main moral qualities: careful thinking, fairness, self-control, and courage

cardinal number
  • Specialized
1 2.4

A number that shows how many things there are, not their order, for example one, two, three

A North American songbird with a crest and thick bill, male bright red and female brown with red highlights

1 7.1

A tall North American plant with bright red flowers that grows in wet places

A bright red North American bird with a crest and a thick beak that eats seeds

A tall plant from eastern North America with dense spikes of blue flowers

A small bright freshwater fish with red and blue stripes

One of the four main directions on a compass: north, east, south, or west

cardinal numeral
  • Specialized
1.6

A word or number that tells how many things there are

cardinal vein
  • Specialized
9.9

A large early blood vessel in animal embryos that carries blood back to the heart

One of two large veins in an embryo that return blood to the heart

9.1

A main vein in an embryo that carries blood from the head to the heart

9.5

A large vein in an animal embryo that carries blood from the tail and back to the heart

How Important

cardinal
  • Formal
21 5.0
important
∞ 1.0
significant
∞ 2.5
minor
497 2.4

Surface Forms

cardinal positive

Etymology

Cardinal as an adjective comes from the old Latin root cardo meaning 'hinge', so a cardinal rule or fact is like a hinge — the most important or basic thing.