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Significant vs. Important — What's the Difference?

By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 15, 2024
Significant events or facts often denote a noticeable impact or change, implying a measurable effect, whereas important ones hold value, priority, or necessity, emphasizing their worth or critical nature.
Significant vs. Important — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Significant and Important

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Key Differences

Significant implies an observable impact or change that stands out due to its magnitude or effect. It denotes something that has a clear influence on outcomes or developments. Important, on the other hand, refers to something that holds value, priority, or necessity within a specific context. It highlights the worth or critical nature of something regardless of its immediate observable impact.
While significant events or findings might alter the course of a study, project, or history, indicating a measurable difference or milestone, important elements might not always lead to a noticeable change but are essential for the integrity, functionality, or understanding of a system or concept. This distinction underlines that something can be important without being immediately significant in its effects.
In terms of decision-making or prioritization, significant factors are often those that have a direct and clear impact on the outcomes, guiding strategic changes or adaptations. Important factors, however, form the basis of the decision-making process, underpinning the values, objectives, or necessities that guide choices, even if their impact isn't directly measurable.
For instance, a significant scientific discovery can introduce a new way of understanding a phenomenon, changing the field's direction. An important ethical guideline, while not changing the field directly, is crucial for conducting research responsibly and with integrity, showcasing the different ways significance and importance manifest in context.
Culturally and linguistically, the usage of "significant" often emphasizes the magnitude of an effect or change, while "important" emphasizes the intrinsic value or priority of something, reflecting the nuanced ways in which these concepts influence perception and communication.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Denotes noticeable impact or change
Holds value, priority, or necessity

Context

Observable effects or milestones
Critical nature or worth regardless of immediate impact

In Decision-Making

Guides strategic changes or adaptations
Underpins values and objectives guiding choices

Example

A significant discovery alters a field
Important ethical guidelines ensure integrity

Linguistic Usage

Emphasizes magnitude of effect or change
Emphasizes intrinsic value or priority

Compare with Definitions

Significant

Used to describe changes that alter understanding or direction.
The agreement marked a significant shift in international relations.

Important

Having authority or ascendancy or influence;
An important official
The captain's authoritative manner

Significant

Can influence perception and decisions based on its effects.
The study's findings were too significant to ignore.

Important

Underlies the foundation of decisions and principles.
Protecting personal data is an important concern for the company.

Significant

Denoting something that has a clear, observable impact or change.
The scientist made a significant breakthrough in renewable energy technology.

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

Significant

Implies a level of importance due to impact.
His contribution was significant to the project's success.

Important

Not always observable in terms of immediate impact.
It's important to maintain ethical standards in research.

Significant

Often related to measurable differences or effects.
There was a significant increase in voter turnout this election.

Important

Essential for the integrity or functionality of a system.
Regular maintenance is important for vehicle longevity.

Significant

Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy
A significant increase in sales

Important

Refers to something with great value, priority, or necessity.
Drinking clean water is important for health.

Significant

Having a particular meaning; indicative of something
In times of stress her dreams seemed to her especially significant

Important

Stresses the worth or critical nature regardless of direct impact.
Education is important for a society's development.

Significant

Relating to or having significance.

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.

Significant

Having or expressing a meaning
Are the markings on the stone significant?.

Important

Having high social rank or influence; prominent
Government leaders and other important people.

Significant

Having or expressing a covert or nonverbal meaning; suggestive
A significant glance.

Important

Having or suggesting a consciousness of high position or authority; authoritative
Recited the decree with an important air.

Significant

Having or likely to have a major effect; important
A significant change in the tax laws.

Important

(Obsolete) Importunate.

Significant

Fairly large in amount or quantity
Significant casualties.
No significant opposition.

Important

Having relevant and crucial value.
It is very important to give your daughter independence in her life so she learns from experience.

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.

Important

(obsolete) Pompous; self-important.

Significant

Signifying something; carrying meaning.
A significant word or sound
A significant look

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.

Significant

Having a covert or hidden meaning.

Important

Carrying or possessing weight or consequence; of valuable content or bearing; significant; weighty.
Things small as nothing . . . He makes important.

Significant

Having a noticeable or major effect.
That was a significant step in the right direction.
The First World War was a significant event.

Important

Bearing on; forcible; driving.
He fiercely at him flew,And with important outrage him assailed.

Significant

Reasonably large in number or amount.

Important

Importunate; pressing; urgent.

Significant

(statistics) Having a low probability of occurring by chance (for example, having high correlation and thus likely to be related).

Important

Of great significance or value;
Important people
The important questions of the day

Significant

That which has significance; a sign; a token; a symbol.

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

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.

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

Significant

Deserving to be considered; important; momentous; as, a significant event.

Significant

That which has significance; a sign; a token; a symbol.
In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts.

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

Significant

Fairly large;
Won by a substantial margin

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

Significant

Rich in significance or implication;
A meaning look
Pregnant with meaning

Common Curiosities

What does significant mean in a general context?

Significant refers to something having a noticeable impact or change, often measurable and observable.

Can something be significant but not important?

Yes, something can be significant (have a noticeable impact) without being crucial or valued (important) in a given context.

Can the significance of an event change over time?

Yes, the significance of an event can change as its impacts become more apparent or as contexts evolve.

How does importance relate to priorities?

Importance denotes value, priority, or necessity, making it fundamental in setting priorities and making decisions.

Is significant or important more impactful in decision-making?

Both play roles in decision-making; significant factors may guide immediate actions, while important factors underpin foundational values and long-term priorities.

Why might something be considered important?

Something is considered important if it holds intrinsic value, priority, or necessity, often related to foundational principles or essential needs.

How do significant and important factors interplay in strategic planning?

In strategic planning, significant factors might prompt immediate actions, while important factors ensure alignment with core values and long-term goals.

What role does significance play in scientific research?

In scientific research, significance often relates to the impact of findings on the field's understanding, guiding future research directions.

How do significant and important considerations affect ethical decision-making?

In ethical decision-making, significant considerations might address immediate impacts, while important considerations ensure adherence to ethical principles and values.

Can an important decision lack immediate significance?

Yes, an important decision can lack immediate significance if its value lies in foundational principles or long-term impacts rather than immediate change.

How do cultural perceptions affect what is considered significant or important?

Cultural values and priorities influence what is seen as significant or important, reflecting societal norms and principles.

What makes an event significant in history?

An event becomes significant in history if it causes a noticeable change, affects future developments, or alters historical understanding.

Are significant achievements always important to society?

Significant achievements may not always be important to society if they do not align with societal values, needs, or priorities.

How is importance communicated in professional settings?

Importance in professional settings is often communicated through prioritization, resource allocation, and the emphasis on core values or objectives.

Does the significance of a technological innovation imply its importance?

The significance of a technological innovation implies its impact, but its importance is determined by its value, utility, and alignment with priorities.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.

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