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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Contextual Relevance
Subjectively crucial in a given situation
Objectively notable in its effects
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Nature
Often subjective, based on personal or situational priorities
More objective, based on measurable change or impact
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Usage in Language
Used to emphasize priority or necessity
Used to emphasize effect or meaningfulness
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Implication in Decision Making
Suggests a need for attention or action
Suggests measurable consequences or outcomes
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Important and Significant Definitions
Significant
Meaningful
The study revealed significant findings about the disease.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Important
Necessary
Getting a good education is important for a successful career.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Important
Crucial
Making a crucial decision is important for the project's success.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Significant
Noteworthy
The significant increase in sales boosted the company's growth.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Significant
Influential
Her significant contribution shaped the entire project.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Important
Vital
It's important to exercise regularly to maintain good health.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Significant
Having or expressing a meaning
Are the markings on the stone significant?.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Significant
Having or expressing a covert or nonverbal meaning; suggestive
A significant glance.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Important
Having high social rank or influence; prominent
Government leaders and other important people.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Significant
Having or likely to have a major effect; important
A significant change in the tax laws.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Important
Having or suggesting a consciousness of high position or authority; authoritative
Recited the decree with an important air.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Significant
Fairly large in amount or quantity
Significant casualties.
No significant opposition.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Important
Having relevant and crucial value.
It is very important to give your daughter independence in her life so she learns from experience.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Significant
Signifying something; carrying meaning.
A significant word or sound
A significant look
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Significant
Having a noticeable or major effect.
That was a significant step in the right direction.
The First World War was a significant event.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Important
Carrying or possessing weight or consequence; of valuable content or bearing; significant; weighty.
Things small as nothing . . . He makes important.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Important
Bearing on; forcible; driving.
He fiercely at him flew,And with important outrage him assailed.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Significant
(statistics) Having a low probability of occurring by chance (for example, having high correlation and thus likely to be related).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Important
Of great significance or value;
Important people
The important questions of the day
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Significant
Deserving to be considered; important; momentous; as, a significant event.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Significant
That which has significance; a sign; a token; a symbol.
In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Important
Having authority or ascendancy or influence;
An important official
The captain's authoritative manner
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Significant
Rich in significance or implication;
A meaning look
Pregnant with meaning
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Significant
Remarkable
The experiment showed a significant difference in results.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
How do I decide if something is important or significant in writing?
Consider if it’s a priority (important) or has major effects (significant).
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Is "significant" always positive?
No, significant can refer to both positive and negative impacts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Can I use "important" and "significant" interchangeably?
While they can overlap, they have distinct meanings and are not always interchangeable.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Can something be important but not significant?
Yes, something can be of personal or situational importance without having a significant impact.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Does "significant" imply a large scale?
Often, but not always. It indicates a notable degree of impact or change.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Can something become less important but more significant over time?
Yes, as situations change, the importance and significance of things can shift.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
How does cultural context affect what is considered important or significant?
Cultural values and norms greatly influence what a society deems important or significant.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Can a small detail be significant?
Yes, even small details can be significant if they have a notable impact.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
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).
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Does "significant" relate to long-term effects?
It can, especially if these effects are meaningful or impactful over time.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Is "important" more subjective than "significant"?
Generally, yes. Importance often depends on personal or specific context values.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Does "significant" always involve statistics?
Not always, but it often implies measurable or observable impact.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
In scientific research, what's more critical: important or significant?
Both are critical; importance for relevance, and significance for impact.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Is emotional significance different from general significance?
Yes, emotional significance relates to personal impact, while general significance refers to broader effects.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Is historical significance the same as importance?
Not exactly; historical significance involves impact over time, while importance might be more immediate.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
How do priorities relate to something being important?
Priorities often dictate what is deemed important in a particular context.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Can something be universally important and significant?
Yes, some issues or facts can be universally recognized as both important and significant.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Can an important decision have no significant outcomes?
Yes, sometimes decisions deemed important might not lead to significant results.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
