pivotal
English meaning: Pivotal
Definition
Something pivotal is of crucial importance to the way things develop. A pivotal moment determines what happens next.
Example
“That meeting was a pivotal moment in her career.”
Another example: “Her testimony proved pivotal, turning the entire trial in the defendant's favour.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Formal; means crucial to how things turn out ('a pivotal role', 'a pivotal moment'). Stronger and more decisive than 'important'. Common in history, sport and business narratives. Usually attributive.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From 'pivot', from French 'pivot', meaning a turning point.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- pivotal role
- pivotal moment
- pivotal figure
- pivotal point
- play a pivotal part
Word Forms
pivotal (adj); pivot (n/v); pivotally (adv, rare)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B