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imperioso

imperious

adjective eem-peh-RYOH-soh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Personality

Origin: From Latin imperiosus, from imperium (command, power).

Also means

urgent

Usage Note

Imperioso has two distinct uses: applied to a person it means domineering or overbearing (un jefe imperioso); applied to a need or situation it means urgent or pressing (una necesidad imperiosa). English 'imperious' usually only covers the first sense, so the second use is a potential false friend. Both senses are standard and common in formal written Spanish.

Examples

"Sintió una imperiosa necesidad de salir."

Natural Translation

He felt an urgent need to leave.

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