Eighth Grade Vocab Word List Week 20: Importance

Every day, people make decisions based on how important they think an action is. You might, for example, write yourself a reminder to make an important phone call. Your history teacher might ask you to rank in order of importance the causes of the Civil War. You probably remember important occasions like a friend’s birthday and forget unimportant occurrences like yesterday’s breakfast. Sometimes you have to decide which of two events – a dance or a concert, for example – is more important to you. The words in this lesson will help you to express the different degrees of importance that you assign to various situations.

Word Part of Speech Definition

eminent adjective outstanding or superior in performance or character; remarkable; noteworthy;

well-known and respected

n Related word(s): eminence (noun), eminently (adverb)

n Etymology: From the Latin word eminens, meaning “standing out”

n Usage note: Don’t confuse eminent with imminent, which means “about to occur:

n See prominence

indispensable adjective required; essential; necessary

n Related word(s): indispensability (noun)

momentous adjective of great importance or outstanding significance

n Related word(s): momentousness (noun)

n Etymology: From the Latin word momentum, meaning “movement” or “influence”

paramount adjective of chief concern; foremost; primary

n Etymology: From the Old French words par, meaning “by,” and amont, meaning “above”

petty adjective small or insignificant in quantity or quality; narrow-minded; selfish; mean and

spiteful

n Related word(s): pettiness (noun)

n Etymology: From the French word petit, meaning “small”

prestige noun high regard or status in the eyes of others

n Related word(s): prestigious (adjective)

n Etymology: From the Latin word praestigiae, meaning “tricks”

priority noun order of importance or urgency; something more important than other

considerations

n Related word(s): prior (adjective)

n Etymology: From the Latin word prior, meaning “previous” or “former”

prominence noun the condition of being immediately noticeable or widely known

n Related word(s): prominent (adjective), prominently (adverb)

n Etymology: From the Latin word prominere, meaning “to jut out”

n Usage note: Prominent and eminent are synonyms, but prominent can also means “immediately noticeable; conspicuous” (“a prominent nose”)

superficial adjective on or near the surface; concerned only with that is apparent or obvious;

shallow; not deeply penetrating

n Related word(s): superficiality (noun), superficially (adverb)

n Etymology: From the Latin super-, meaning “above,” and facies, meaning “face”

trivial adjective of little importance or significance; ordinary; commonplace

n Related word(s): trivia (noun), triviality (noun), trivialize (verb)

n Etymology: From the Latin tri-, meaning “three,” and via, meaning “road”

8th Grade Vocab Assignment Week 20

You have been asked to introduce a famous person who will speak to an all-school assembly. Choose a prominent person, such as a scientist, doctor, or entertainer, who has made an important contribution to humanity. Write a short speech of introduction that provides background information about the person and stresses their achievements. In your speech, use five of this week’s words. Write at least 5 unique, complete sentences – one sentence per vocab word you choose – using the word correctly (part of speech and definition). Always use the words from the far left column – NEVER THE “RELATED” WORDS. Sentences should be more than just the word and the definition. Sentences should be unique (different from every other sentence on the page, written by you and you alone). Sentences should be written neatly. The paper should have a heading and should be neat (no folds, tears, etc.). Underline the vocab words (or circle, highlight, etc. – just call my attention to the word). Skip a line after every line you’ve written (think of it as double-spacing the whole page). This is in paragraph form.

FLASHCARDS DUE: Monday, Feb. 13

SENTENCES DUE: Tuesday, Feb. 14