adverb

most importantly

mohst im-POR-tuhnt-lee

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Most importantly (adverb) means used to introduce the point the speaker considers the single most significant, usually at the end of a list. Example: “It is cheap, it is fast and, most importantly, it works.”

adverb

Used to introduce the point the speaker considers the single most significant, usually at the end of a list.

"It is cheap, it is fast and, most importantly, it works."

"Most importantly, nobody was hurt."

How to use most importantly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHere comes the point that matters most.

When to use it

Acceptable in all registers. A minority of style guides prefer 'most important' as the sentence adverbial, but 'most importantly' is now standard.

Memory tip

It normally sits between commas, or at the start of a sentence followed by a comma.

Easily confused with

most important importantly → more importantly

Common pairings

and most importantly most importantly of all but most importantly

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “most importantly” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

It is cheap, it is fast and, _____, it works.

Synonyms

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above all crucially chiefly most of all

Related words

especially particularly mostly mainly largely primarily importantly predominantly

Rhymes for most importantly

instantly elegantly valiantly blatantly distantly abundantly constantly pleasantly importantly reluctantly incessantly brilliantly

See all rhymes for most importantly →

Frequently asked questions

Is it 'most importantly' or 'most important'?

Both are defensible. 'Most important' is an elliptical form of 'what is most important', preferred by traditionalists, while 'most importantly' treats the phrase as an ordinary sentence adverb. Modern usage guides accept both, and 'most importantly' is now the commoner choice.

When should you use 'more importantly' instead?

Use 'more importantly' when you are weighing two points against each other, and 'most importantly' when you are singling out the top item from three or more.

What is the meaning of most importantly?

"most importantly" (adverb) means used to introduce the point the speaker considers the single most significant, usually at the end of a list.

What is another word for most importantly?

Other words for "most importantly" include above all, crucially, chiefly, most of all.

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especially particularly mostly mainly largely primarily importantly predominantly