momentous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'momentous' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has great significance or importance. Example: The momentous arrival of the first baby pandas at the zoo thrilled everyone in attendance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even for a city inured to grand announcements that go nowhere, this is momentous.

The Guardian

But they had no idea how momentous the result would be.

The Guardian

The short oration, which begins, "Four score and seven years ago", is remembered as a momentous reflection on what the Civil War meant for the survival of United States and the viability of liberty.

The Guardian

At ITV News, Turness is credited with overseeing a robust nine years at the programme, covering two general elections and a series of momentous world news events.

The Guardian

Thirteen were needed from Streak's final over and, when Knight thrashed his third ball over deep-square for six, England were on the verge of a momentous victory.

The Guardian - Sport

Over those momentous seven days in May, the country has welcomed a Queen and a president, bade farewell to one of its most respected prime ministers ever and, in between, captured European rugby's most prestigious prize.

The Guardian

Cameron concluded his speech by saying that the election would have momentous consequences.

The Guardian

In the first address to the British parliament by an Irish president, Higgins hailed the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland as a "momentous" achievement that was a key milestone on the "road to today's warm, deep and enduring Irish-British friendship".

The Guardian

It is a trouncing of such proportion that it all but rendered redundant their own second innings, with Joe Root's momentous 180.

The Guardian - Sport

Ten years on, how do these momentous events relate to the challenges facing my country today?

The Guardian - Opinion

Four years on, however, its place in history does not look quite so momentous.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "momentous" to describe events, decisions, or occasions that have a lasting impact or are of historical significance. Ensure the context clearly conveys the weight and importance of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "momentous" for everyday or insignificant events. Its strength lies in describing situations of genuine and lasting importance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "momentous" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, attributing to them the quality of being outstanding in importance or of great consequence. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in describing significant events and decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Sport

5%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "momentous" is a versatile adjective used to describe events, decisions, or occasions of outstanding importance and significant consequence. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, primarily in news, formal business settings, and scientific domains. While its usage is widespread, it is essential to reserve it for situations of genuine importance to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives like "highly significant" or "of great consequence" can be used to add variety to your writing while maintaining the emphasis on importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly significant

Emphasizes the degree of significance, focusing on the importance of something.

of great consequence

Highlights the resulting impact or effects of an event or action.

extremely important

Stresses the crucial nature and high value of something.

remarkably significant

Adds an element of surprise or unexpected importance.

notably consequential

Indicates that the consequences are easily observed and worth mentioning.

exceptionally vital

Focuses on the indispensable nature of something for a desired outcome.

unusually substantial

Highlights the considerable and weighty nature of an event or decision.

profoundly meaningful

Emphasizes the deep and significant impact on a personal or broader level.

historically significant

Specifies the importance of an event in the context of historical records and events.

critically important

Indicates that the matter is essential and could determine the outcome.

FAQs

How to use "momentous" in a sentence?

You can use "momentous" to describe a significant event, decision, or occasion. For instance, "The signing of the treaty was a "momentous" occasion for both nations".

What can I say instead of "momentous"?

You can use alternatives like "highly significant", "of great consequence", or "extremely important" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "momentous" or "momentary"?

"Momentous" refers to something of great importance, while "momentary" describes something brief or fleeting. They have opposite meanings and should not be confused.

What's the difference between "historic" and "momentous"?

"Historic" generally refers to something important in history, while "momentous" emphasizes the importance and significance of an event at the time it occurs. An event can be both, but "momentous" highlights its immediate impact.