Imperative
/ɪmˈpɛr.ə.tɪv/noun
Expressing a command, order, or necessity.
Did you know?Imperative comes from Latin *imperāre*, meaning “to command,” a root that also gave English *empire* and *emperor*—so the word carries the energy of rule and control.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“to attempt, risk, or bring forth”
Latin
Latin
imperāre
“to command, order, or give instructions”
Late Latin
Latin
imperātīvus
“pertaining to commanding”
Old French
Old French
imperatif
“expressing command”
Middle English
English
imperatif
“serving to command or urge”
Modern English
English
imperative
“expressing a command or something absolutely necessary”