Important vs. Major — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 9, 2024
"Important" denotes significance or value, suggesting that something matters greatly. "Major" indicates something larger in scale or greater in impact, often signifying prominence in size, influence, or scope.
Difference Between Important and Major
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Important" refers to something that holds significant value or influence, such as an important decision that could impact one's career. "Major" indicates something larger in scale or impact, like a major event that affects an entire industry.
"Important" often describes priorities or matters that require attention, like an important meeting. "Major," on the other hand, often conveys size or prominence, such as a major discovery that could revolutionize a field.
"Important" can pertain to emotional or practical significance, like an important relationship that greatly influences personal life. "Major" might describe something that stands out within a broader context, like a major city in the country's economy.
"Important" emphasizes qualitative significance, where the value or priority is central. "Major," in contrast, emphasizes quantitative prominence, often implying a larger number, size, or effect.
"Important" often applies to details or actions that are key for achieving success, like an important task in a project. "Major" conveys the overarching weight of situations, decisions, or structures, like a major overhaul of a business strategy.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Denotes significance or value
Indicates larger scale or impact
Context
Often qualitative, value-based
Often quantitative, scale-based
Usage
Applied to priorities, relationships
Applied to events, decisions, structures
Emotional Tone
Suggests crucial attention
Suggests overarching weight
Example
"An important task to complete"
"A major change in company policies"
Compare with Definitions
Important
Significant or influential.
It is important to complete the assignment on time.
Major
Substantial in impact or scope.
The new regulations represent a major change.
Important
Deserving attention and priority.
Attending this meeting is important for our partnership.
Major
Relating to a field of academic study.
She is a major in psychology.
Important
Critical for success or progress.
This step is important for the project's success.
Major
Greater in size or extent.
The company announced a major expansion plan.
Important
Of high personal or practical value.
Her advice is important to me.
Major
Influential or prominent in effect.
His appointment marked a major shift in leadership.
Important
Bearing significant weight in a context.
His input will be important in this debate.
Major
Primary in importance or hierarchy.
A major donor pulled out of the fundraiser.
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.
Major
Major is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world.
Important
Having high social rank or influence; prominent
Government leaders and other important people.
Major
Important, serious, or significant
The use of drugs is a major problem
Important
Having or suggesting a consciousness of high position or authority; authoritative
Recited the decree with an important air.
Major
(of a scale) having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees.
Important
(Obsolete) Importunate.
Major
(appended to a surname in public schools) indicating the elder of two brothers.
Important
Having relevant and crucial value.
It is very important to give your daughter independence in her life so she learns from experience.
Major
(of a term) occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
Important
(obsolete) Pompous; self-important.
Major
A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
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.
Major
A major key, interval, or scale.
Important
Carrying or possessing weight or consequence; of valuable content or bearing; significant; weighty.
Things small as nothing . . . He makes important.
Major
A major organization or competition
The majors have swept up the smaller independent companies in licensing deals
It's not unreasonable to believe someone can win all four majors
The oil majors had a profit bonanza
Important
Bearing on; forcible; driving.
He fiercely at him flew,And with important outrage him assailed.
Major
A student's principal subject or course
Many students would ignore courses outside their major
Important
Importunate; pressing; urgent.
Major
A major term or premise.
Important
Of great significance or value;
Important people
The important questions of the day
Major
Short for major suit
South was anxious to mention his four-card major and bid one spade
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
Major
A goal.
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
Major
Specialize in (a particular subject) at college or university
I was trying to decide if I should major in drama or English
Important
Having authority or ascendancy or influence;
An important official
The captain's authoritative manner
Major
Greater than others in importance or rank
A major artist.
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
Major
Great in scope or effect
A major improvement.
Major
Great in number, size, or extent
The major portion of the population.
Major
Requiring great attention or concern; very serious
A major illness.
Major
(Law) Legally recognized as having reached the age of adulthood.
Major
Of or relating to the field of academic study in which a student specializes.
Major
Designating a scale or mode having half steps between the third and fourth and the seventh and eighth degrees.
Major
Equivalent to the distance between the tonic note and the second or third or sixth or seventh degrees of a major scale or mode
A major interval.
Major
Based on a major scale
A major key.
Major
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
Major
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
Major
One that is superior in rank, importance, or ability
An oil-producing country considered as one of the majors.
Major
(Law) One recognized by the law as having reached the age of adulthood.
Major
A field of study chosen as an academic specialty.
Major
A student specializing in such studies
A linguistics major.
Major
A major premise.
Major
A major term.
Major
A major scale, key, interval, or mode.
Major
A chord containing a major third between the first and second notes and a minor third between the second and third notes.
Major
Majors Sports The major leagues.
Major
To pursue academic studies in a major
Majoring in mathematics.
Major
(attributive):
Major
Greater in dignity, rank, importance, significance, or interest.
Major
Greater in number, quantity, or extent.
The major part of the assembly
Major
Notable or conspicuous in effect or scope.
Major
Prominent or significant in size, amount, or degree.
To earn some major cash
Major
(medicine) Involving great risk, serious, life-threatening.
To suffer from a major illness
Major
Of full legal age, having attained majority.
Major children
Major
(education) Of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization.
Major
(music):
Major
Having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees.
Major scale
Major
Equivalent to that between the tonic and another note of a major scale, and greater by a semitone than the corresponding minor interval.
Major third
Major
(postpositive) of a key Based on a major scale, tending to produce a bright or joyful effect.
Major
(campanology) Bell changes rung on eight bells.
Major
Indicating the elder of two brothers, appended to a surname in public schools.
Major
(logic)
Major
Occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
Major
Containing the major term in a categorical syllogism.
Major
(military ranks) A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, between captain and lieutenant colonel.
He used to be a major in the army.
Major
An officer in charge of a section of band instruments, used with a modifier.
Major
A person of legal age.
Major
(music):
Major
Ellipsis of major key.
Major
Ellipsis of major interval.
Major
Ellipsis of major scale.
Major
(campanology) A system of change-ringing using eight bells.
Major
A large, commercially successful company, especially a record label that is bigger than an indie.
Major
The principal subject or course of a student working toward a degree at a college or university.
Midway through his second year of college, he still hadn't chosen a major.
Major
A student at a college or university specializing on a given area of study.
She is a math major.
Major
(logic):
Major
Ellipsis of major term.
Major
Ellipsis of major premise.
Major
(bridge) major suit.
Major
(Canadian football) A touchdown, or major score.
Major
(Australian rules football) A goal.
Major
An elder brother (especially at a public school).
Major
(entomology) A large leaf-cutter ant that acts as a soldier, defending the nest.
Major
(obsolete) mayor and {{en}}.
Major
(intransitive) major in
Major
Greater in number, quantity, or extent; as, the major part of the assembly; the major part of the revenue; the major part of the territory.
Major
Of greater dignity; more important.
Major
Of full legal age; adult.
Major
Greater by a semitone, either in interval or in difference of pitch from another tone.
Major
An officer next in rank above a captain and next below a lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer.
Major
A person of full age.
Major
That premise which contains the major term. It its the first proposition of a regular syllogism; as: No unholy person is qualified for happiness in heaven [the major]. Every man in his natural state is unholy [minor]. Therefore, no man in his natural state is qualified for happiness in heaven [conclusion or inference].
Major
A mayor.
Major
A commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
Major
British statesman who was prime minister from 1990 until 1997 (born in 1943)
Major
A university student who is studying a particular field as the principal subject;
She is a linguistics major
Major
The principal field of study of a student at a university;
Her major is linguistics
Major
Have as one's principal field of study;
She is majoring in linguistics
Major
Of greater importance or stature or rank;
A major artist
A major role
Major highways
Major
Greater in scope or effect;
A major contribution
A major improvement
A major break with tradition
A major misunderstanding
Major
Greater in number or size or amount;
A major portion (a majority) of the population
Ursa Major
A major portion of the winnings
Major
Of the field of academic study in which one concentrates or specializes;
His major field was mathematics
Major
Of a scale or mode;
Major scales
The key of D major
Major
Of greater seriousness or danger;
A major earthquake
A major hurricane
A major illness
Major
Of full legal age;
Major children
Major
Of the elder of two boys with the same family name;
Jones major
Common Curiosities
Can a "major problem" be different from an "important problem"?
A major problem is often widespread or deeply impactful, while an important problem requires priority attention.
Is "major" more commonly used in scientific fields?
"Major" is used in scientific contexts to denote significant changes or findings, but it is also used widely outside science.
Is "important" mainly about urgency?
"Important" often emphasizes the urgency or necessity of something valuable.
Are "major cities" and "important cities" the same?
Not necessarily. "Major cities" usually refer to size or economic prominence, while "important cities" may be significant historically or culturally.
Can an important detail not be considered major?
Yes, important details may not be major if they don't have a large-scale effect.
Does "major" imply greater significance than "important"?
"Major" often conveys broader impact or prominence, whereas "important" denotes specific value.
Is "important" used in academic contexts?
Yes, "important" is frequently used in academic writing to emphasize key concepts, theories, or findings.
Is "major" more absolute than "important"?
"Major" often implies a more concrete prominence, whereas "important" can be more subjective.
Can something be both important and major?
Yes, something can be important due to its intrinsic value while also being major if it has significant influence or size.
Are major events always important?
Generally, yes. Major events usually have an impact that makes them important to many people.
Is "major" only used for significant changes?
No, "major" can also refer to prominence in hierarchy or priority, such as a "major course of study."
Can a minor issue still be important?
Yes, even small issues can hold significant value in certain contexts.
Is "important" or "major" better suited for professional writing?
Both can be used appropriately depending on the context and emphasis needed.
Is "important" always linked to success?
Not always; it also relates to emotional, practical, or ethical value.
Is "major" used in everyday conversation?
Yes, "major" is used frequently in everyday contexts, such as "major life changes."
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj 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.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
