of import
2
5.9
- idiom
- /əv ˈɪmpɔrt/
- Archaic
:
de gran importancia
- Sometimes, we can make mountains out of molehills while downplaying areas of import.
- of import substitution
- of import substitution industrialization
- import strategy
Examples
-
One last question, probably of of import to a lot of gamers and libertarians.
-
And yes, there were levels of import in this post.
Blog text (2) -
1976 was a year of import in this nation's political history as we chose a president.
Academic text (1993) -
The decision to cut down the forest is one of great import to local environmentalists.
-
He explained the issues of import during the meeting to ensure everyone understood their significance.
-
The new law on climate change represents a matter of import for future generations.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A person or thing that matters a lot
∞
2.0
Very important for something to work or succeed
526
2.5
Very useful and important, for example advice or skills
24
4.0
Very necessary for a decision or success
Antonyms
How Important
Surface Forms
Morphology
of + import
The meaning 'of great significance' is directly derivable from the constituents: 'import' as a noun means 'significance' and the preposition 'of' links that quality to the noun it modifies, so the phrase literally means 'having significance.' Although somewhat formal/old-fashioned, the compositional logic is straightforward and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both words.
Etymology
The adjective of import comes from an older use of the noun import, which meant 'something brought in', like goods that merchants sold. Because those goods had value and mattered, things 'of import' came to mean 'important'.