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Imperative vs Imperious - What's the difference?

imperative | imperious | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between imperative and imperious

is that imperative is essential while imperious is domineering, arrogant, or overbearing.

As a noun imperative

is 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

English

Alternative forms

*

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • essential
  • It is imperative that you come here right now.
  • (computing theory) Having a semantics that incorporates mutable variables.
  • (grammar) of, or relating to the imperative mood
  • Expressing a command; authoritatively or absolutely directive.
  • imperative orders
  • * Bishop Hall
  • The suits of kings are imperative .

    Noun

  • (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 .
  • (countable, grammar) A verb in imperative mood.
  • (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) * categorical imperative

    Coordinate terms

    * (in grammar) assertoric, interrogative

    imperious

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Domineering, arrogant, or overbearing.
  • * 1866 – , translated by C. J. Hogarth
  • ...she glanced about her in an imperious , challenging sort of way, with looks and gestures that clearly were unstudied.
  • Urgent.
  • * 1891
  • Circumstances of an imperious nature, which it is unnecessary to relate here, had prevented him from taking service with that gallant army which had fought the disastrous campaigns ending with the fall of Corinth.
  • (obsolete) Imperial or regal.
  • * 1895
  • She was quick, beautiful, imperious , while he was quiet, slow, and misty.

    Synonyms

    * (domineering) authoritarian, bossy, dictatorial, domineering, overbearing