crucial and important share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. crucial means “of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis”. important means “of great significance or value”. important is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈkɹuʃəl/
1.adj.of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis
“a crucial moment in his career”
2.adj.having crucial relevance
“crucial to the case”
3.adj.of the greatest importance
“the all-important subject of disarmament”
/ˌɪmˈpɔɹtənt/
1.adj.of great significance or value
“important people”
2.adj.important in effect or meaning
“a significant change in tax laws”
3.adj.of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis
“a crucial moment in his career”
| crucial | important | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈkɹuʃəl/ | /ˌɪmˈpɔɹtənt/ |
| Said | KROO-shuhl | im-PAWR-tuhnt |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Letters | 7 | 9 |
| Parts of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Senses | 3 | 5 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | important | of import |
Full entry for crucial · Full entry for important · More comparisons