Important vs. Significant: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Important refers to something of great value or priority; significant means having notable meaning or influence.
Key Differences
Important implies a value judgment, suggesting something is of high value or priority in a certain context. In contrast, significant refers to the degree of impact or influence something has, often related to the size, amount, or extent of its effects.
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While important items or issues demand attention or consideration due to their perceived value or necessity, significant ones carry weight because they have noticeable effects or implications. The significance of something might not always align with its importance.
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An important decision is one that holds great value or consequence for someone, suggesting prioritization. A significant change, however, is one that results in considerable differences or outcomes, irrespective of its perceived importance.
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In a strategic plan, important elements are those deemed critical for success, highlighting priority. Conversely, significant elements in the same plan are those that have a measurable impact on the outcome, which may or may not be prioritized.
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In communication, stating something important signals to the receiver that the content demands attention or action. Conversely, a significant point in a discussion is one that has a notable effect on the understanding or outcome of the conversation.
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Comparison Chart
Contextual Relevance
Subjectively crucial in a given situation
Objectively notable in its effects
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Nature
Often subjective, based on personal or situational priorities
More objective, based on measurable change or impact
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Usage in Language
Used to emphasize priority or necessity
Used to emphasize effect or meaningfulness
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Implication in Decision Making
Suggests a need for attention or action
Suggests measurable consequences or outcomes
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Important and Significant Definitions
Significant
Meaningful
The study revealed significant findings about the disease.
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Important
Necessary
Getting a good education is important for a successful career.
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Important
Crucial
Making a crucial decision is important for the project's success.
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Significant
Noteworthy
The significant increase in sales boosted the company's growth.
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Significant
Influential
Her significant contribution shaped the entire project.
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Important
Vital
It's important to exercise regularly to maintain good health.
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Significant
Having or expressing a meaning
Are the markings on the stone significant?.
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Important
Strongly affecting the course of events or the nature of things; significant
An important message that must get through.
Close friends who are important to me.
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Significant
Having or expressing a covert or nonverbal meaning; suggestive
A significant glance.
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Important
Having high social rank or influence; prominent
Government leaders and other important people.
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Significant
Having or likely to have a major effect; important
A significant change in the tax laws.
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Important
Having or suggesting a consciousness of high position or authority; authoritative
Recited the decree with an important air.
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Significant
Fairly large in amount or quantity
Significant casualties.
No significant opposition.
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Significant
(Statistics) Of or relating to observations or occurrences that are too closely correlated to be attributed to chance and therefore indicate a systematic relationship.
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Important
Having relevant and crucial value.
It is very important to give your daughter independence in her life so she learns from experience.
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Significant
Signifying something; carrying meaning.
A significant word or sound
A significant look
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Important
Full of, or burdened by, import; charged with great interests; restless; anxious.
Thou hast strength as muchAs serves to execute a mind very important.
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Significant
Having a noticeable or major effect.
That was a significant step in the right direction.
The First World War was a significant event.
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Important
Carrying or possessing weight or consequence; of valuable content or bearing; significant; weighty.
Things small as nothing . . . He makes important.
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Important
Bearing on; forcible; driving.
He fiercely at him flew,And with important outrage him assailed.
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Significant
(statistics) Having a low probability of occurring by chance (for example, having high correlation and thus likely to be related).
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Important
Of great significance or value;
Important people
The important questions of the day
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Significant
Fitted or designed to signify or make known somethingl having a meaning; standing as a sign or token; expressive or suggestive; as, a significant word or sound; a significant look.
It was well said of Plotinus, that the stars were significant, but not efficient.
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Important
Important in effect or meaning;
A significant change in tax laws
A significant change in the Constitution
A significant contribution
Significant details
Statistically significant
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Significant
Deserving to be considered; important; momentous; as, a significant event.
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Important
Of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis;
A crucial moment in his career
A crucial election
A crucial issue for women
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Significant
That which has significance; a sign; a token; a symbol.
In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts.
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Important
Having authority or ascendancy or influence;
An important official
The captain's authoritative manner
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Significant
Important in effect or meaning;
A significant change in tax laws
A significant change in the Constitution
A significant contribution
Significant details
Statistically significant
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Important
Having or suggesting a consciousness of high position;
Recited the decree with an important air
Took long important strides in the direction of his office
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Significant
Too closely correlated to be attributed to chance and therefore indicating a systematic relation;
The interaction effect is significant at the .01 level
No significant difference was found
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Significant
Rich in significance or implication;
A meaning look
Pregnant with meaning
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Significant
Remarkable
The experiment showed a significant difference in results.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can an event be significant but not important to me personally?
Yes, events can have a significant impact broadly but may not be personally important.
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How do I decide if something is important or significant in writing?
Consider if it’s a priority (important) or has major effects (significant).
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Is "significant" always positive?
No, significant can refer to both positive and negative impacts.
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Can I use "important" and "significant" interchangeably?
While they can overlap, they have distinct meanings and are not always interchangeable.
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Can something be important but not significant?
Yes, something can be of personal or situational importance without having a significant impact.
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Does "significant" imply a large scale?
Often, but not always. It indicates a notable degree of impact or change.
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Can something become less important but more significant over time?
Yes, as situations change, the importance and significance of things can shift.
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How does cultural context affect what is considered important or significant?
Cultural values and norms greatly influence what a society deems important or significant.
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Can a small detail be significant?
Yes, even small details can be significant if they have a notable impact.
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Can a fact be important but not significant in an argument?
Yes, a fact might be crucial (important) for the argument without influencing the outcome (significant).
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In literature, how is the importance of a theme different from its significance?
Importance refers to the theme's centrality to the work, while significance refers to its impact on the reader or society.
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Does "significant" relate to long-term effects?
It can, especially if these effects are meaningful or impactful over time.
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Is "important" more subjective than "significant"?
Generally, yes. Importance often depends on personal or specific context values.
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Does "significant" always involve statistics?
Not always, but it often implies measurable or observable impact.
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In scientific research, what's more critical: important or significant?
Both are critical; importance for relevance, and significance for impact.
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Is emotional significance different from general significance?
Yes, emotional significance relates to personal impact, while general significance refers to broader effects.
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Is historical significance the same as importance?
Not exactly; historical significance involves impact over time, while importance might be more immediate.
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How do priorities relate to something being important?
Priorities often dictate what is deemed important in a particular context.
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Can something be universally important and significant?
Yes, some issues or facts can be universally recognized as both important and significant.
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Can an important decision have no significant outcomes?
Yes, sometimes decisions deemed important might not lead to significant results.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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