Reverse Dictionary: IMPORTANCE

ADJECTIVES
1225 ► of a person: of great importance or value to another; serving as an indispensable helper or assistant to another → RIGHT-HAND 
1386 ► important → EARNESTFUL → obs.
1425 ► first, earliest; most important → PRIMATE → obs.
1483 ► weighty, important; solid, firm; effective → SUBSTANTIOUS → chiefly Sc. obs.
1513 ► most important or prominent → UMEST → Sc.
1579 ► of much import; important → IMPORTING → obs.
1590 ► of importance → OF GREAT QUARREL → obs.
1590 ► noteworthy, important, conspicuous → OF MARK 
1591 ► of a person or group of people: very important or powerful; foremost, leading, greatest → PRIME 
1596 ► serious, weighty, important → DEEP → obs.
1597 ► great, important; of high position or standing → BIG → colloq.
1604 ► of great moment or importance → OF GREAT ARTICLE → obs.
1634 ► important, full of consequence → CONSEQUENTIOUS → obs.
1657 ► that bears or is worthy to bear the palm; holding the first or highest place; of supreme or first-rate importance; most important, pre-eminent, principal, chief → PALMARY 
1657 ► antecedent, prior; of greater importance → RATHER → obs.
1684 ► weighty, momentous, of vast importance → MOLIMINOUS → obs.
19C ► high and mighty; self-important, arrogant, conceited → MAGNIFICENT → Brit. sl.
1815 ► that bears or is worthy to bear the palm; holding the first or highest place; of supreme or first-rate importance; most important, pre-eminent, principal, chief → PALMARIAN 
1816 ► self-important, conceited; boastful, bragging → MASSY → Sc. & Eng. dial.
1818 ► very important, momentous → MOMENTAL → obs.
1821 ► eminent, distinguished by birth or wealth; great; important → MICKLE → Sc.
1821 ► eminent, distinguished by birth or wealth; great; important → MUCKLE → Sc.
1821 ► of importance or consequence → OF AUGHT → Sc.
1829 ► conceited; assuming airs, dignity, or importance → STUCK-UP → colloq.
1835 ► of enormous importance or consequence; momentous → EARTHSHAKING 
1843 ► important, self-important → BIG-BUGGISH → Amer. dial.
M19 ► large, important, of lengthy duration → OLD MAN → Aust. & NZ sl.
1859 ► of enormous importance or consequence; momentous → EARTH-SHATTERING 
1880 ► conceited, vain, self-important; impudent, boastful → BIGGITY → Amer. dial.
1880 ► self-important → UPPITY → sl., orig. US
1890 ► irascible, angry, low, mean, cross; pert, impertinent, impudent, self-important; frisky, mettlesome → FAUSTY → FEISTY → FICETY → FISTY → FYSTY → Amer. dial.
1896 ► urgent, pressing; important (often with an implication of some danger) → HOT → Amer. sl.
1899 ► arrogant, conceited, self-important, egotistical → CHESTY → Amer. dial.
20C ► arrogant, haughty, self-important → HIGH-HEADED → US sl.
1905 ► important; of consequence → MATTERABLE → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1919 ► powerful, influential, important → BIG-LEAGUE → US sl.
1942 ► important → BIG-BORE → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → BIGGIE → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → BIG-TIME → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → BIG-TRUCE → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → DOUBLE-BARRELLED → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → DOUBLE-DISTILLED → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → FOUR-STAR → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → FRONT-PAGE → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → GREAT SHAKES → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → HEAVY → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → HEAVYWEIGHT → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → HEFTY → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → HIGH-LIGHT → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → HIGH-POWERED → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → LARGE → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → ON THE MAP → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → QUITE A SHUCKS → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → SMASH → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1942 ► important → STANDOUT → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1944 ► very important, powerful  → VAGOUS → VAGUS → Amer. dial.
1945 ► in a superior or advantageous position; feeling important → IN THE CATBIRD SEAT → Amer. dial.
1948 ► self-important, arrogant → BOOPETY → Amer. dial.
1955 ► big, important, or overly important → BIGASS → US sl.
1964 ► of a political issue or the like: of fundamental importance; of extraordinary concern to voters, often engendering a visceral reaction → GUT → Amer. sl.
1968 ► self-important, forward → OUTWARDLY
1968 ► important, independent → PORKY → Amer. dial.
1970 ► the most important → GUVNOR → sl.
1980 ► of a person: important → BIG BOUT YAH → W. Indies usage
1980 ► large; intense; important → SERIOUS → African-American sl.
2000 ► self-important → UP ONE’S OWN ARSE → sl.
2006 ► famous, important → BIG-NAME → US sl. (Bk.)
2006 ► mighty; overbearing; overly important → BIG-SHOT → US sl. (Bk.)

ADVERBS
1990 ► in an important, committed manner → BIG CASINO → US sl.

NOUNS
1000 ► a cardinal point; an important matter → HARRE → obs. exc. Eng. dial.
1250 ► excellence, value, importance, dignity → MUND → obs.
1330 ► worth or importance due to personal qualities or to rank → VALOUR → obs.
1400 ► a being first in order, rank, important, or authority; a being more or most important → PRIMALTY → obs.
1400 ► worth, importance, efficacy → VALURE → obs.
1540 ► the quality of being important; importance → IMPORTANCY → obs.
1570 ► greatness, importance → MAGNIFICIE → obs.
1579 ► the chief or most important member of a group of people or things → PRIME → rare
1589 ► the best, choicest, or most important part → HEART 
1595 ► the important or essential point → THE MAIN OF ALL → obs.
1600 ► importance, significance → PONDERANCE 
1606 ► an action or procedure of chief importance → MASTER-WORK 
1612 ► the most important feature, or the chief excellence, of a person or thing → MASTERPIECE → obs.
1616 ► the chief or most important thing → PRINCIPAL VERB → obs.
1621 ► a thing of importance → MUCHITY → obs.
1623 ► an important matter → IMPORTANCY → obs.
1632 ► something necessary to make a thing complete; an essential or important constituent part → IMPLEMENT → obs.
1635 ► the essential or important part → PITH AND MARROW 
1658 ► importance, consequence → IMPORTMENT → obs.
1663 ► the essentials; the most important part; the inner and real meaning; the essence of a matter → GUTS → UK
1664 ► a great amount; anything significant or important; often in negative constructions → ANYTHING MUCH 
1667 ► importance, significance → PONDERANCY → rare
1679 ► importance, consequence → NEARNESS → obs.
1820 ► the most important thing; that which is essential to the success of anything → TONGUE OF THE TRUMP → Sc.
1828 ► something or someone of gigantic stature or strength, physical or intellectual; an excellent person → TITAN 
1829 ► the best or most notable feature of something; the most impressive or important part → CROWNING JEWEL 
1835 ► a very large or impressive thing; something important  → BULGE → Amer. dial. obs.
1838 ► ostentation, pomp, self-importance → FANTASIA 
1852 ► meaning; importance → MEANT → Eng. dial.
1854 ► something regarded as the most important element in something → THE BE-ALL AND END-ALL → sl.
1874 ► matters of importance; a multitude of petty cares → THRONGS → Eng. dial.
1878 ► an urgent, important, or secret plan or project in the making → A HEN ON → Amer. dial.
1895 ► anything of importance or consequence → MAKINGS → Eng. dial.
20C ► an important object → THE BIG PIECE OF CHEESE → Amer. sl.
1900 ► conceit, show of importance → EIGHTEEN PENCE → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1916 ► something spoken which has importance or other significance → MOUTHFUL → US sl.
1920 ► the best; the ultimate; the most important → BIG CASINO → US sl.
1932 ► the most significant or important part of something; usually in negative contexts → THE HALF OF IT → sl.
1934 ► an important or consequential person or thing; a big deal; something unusually fine or valuable → SOMETHING ON A STICK → Amer. dial.
1939 ► anybody or anything large, important, superior, or remarkable → SOME SHUCKINS → Amer. dial.
1943 ► a thing of importance or interest → THE MAHOSKA → THE MAHOSKER → Amer. sl.
1949 ► an urgent, important, or secret plan or project in the making → A HEN ON THE NEST → Amer. dial.
1950 ► something useful or important → ACE → sl.
1956 ► an important, sensational, or highly publicized statement or deed → BIG NOISE → US sl.
1956 ► an important entertainment → THE BIG ONE → US sl.
1965 ► an important or consequential person or thing; a braggart; a big deal → HOT SHIT ON A STICK → Amer. dial.
1965 ► an important or consequential person or thing; a braggart; a big deal → SHIT ON A STICK → Amer. dial.
1965 ► an important or consequential person or thing; a braggart; a big deal → SHIT ON A STICK BUT HE AIN’T FART ON A SPLINTER → Amer. dial.
1968 ► the most important part → BIG END → Amer. dial.
1970 ► something important or worthwhile → FART → sl.
1970 ► an important event → NATIONAL BAG DAY → US students’ sl. (Bk.)
1980 ► a large or important person or thing → KAHUNA → US sl.
1986 ► the one most important issue in a discussion → GUT ISSUE → US sl.
2006 ► something really important → BIG DEAL → US sl. (Bk.)
2006 ► something important → BIGGIE → US sl. (Bk.)

NOUNS, PERSON
1200 ► a person holding a pre-eminent position; the best or most important person → HEAD 
1362 ► a person of some note or importance; an aged or elderly man; also, generally, a man, a fellow → SIRE 
1384 ► a person who is first in rank or importance; a chief, a leader → PRIMATE → rare
1538 ► a person who is particularly useful or important to another, or upon whom one relies; a chief assistant, an indispensable helper → RIGHT-HAND 
1579 ► the chief or most important member of a group of people or things → PRIME → rare
1596 ► a female of great, strength, intellect, or importance → TITANESS 
1600 ► a man of many accomplishments; one who is important; said somewhat contemptuously → GALLIMAUFRY 
1650 ► an important personage → SATRAPON → obs.
1653 ► an important, influential, powerful, or dominant person; an autocrat; a business or media magnate → MOGUL 
1657 ► a person of great importance → GREAT GUN → colloq.
1703 ► a high-ranking or important person → BIGWIG → sl. 
1715 ► a self-important little man; a person of consequence; a term of contempt → COCKALORUM 
1721 ► one who makes a noise, and puts on an air of importance → BELSWAGGER 
1737 ► a man regarded as comparable to a high priest; the chief male advocate or proponent of a particular belief, practice, etc.; an important or notable man in a particular sphere → HIGH PRIEST 
1764 ► a person of great wealth or high rank; one who returned from India with a large fortune acquired there; a very rich, important man → NABOB 
1771 ► a woman regarded as comparable to a high priestess; the chief female advocate or proponent of a particular belief, practice, etc.; an important or notable woman in a particular sphere → HIGH PRIESTESS 
1789 ► a man of high status or importance in a social group, organization, business, etc.; a leader, a boss → BIG MAN 
1792 ► a high-ranking or important person → TYEE → TYHEE → N. Amer. sl.
1796 ► a man of importance; a conceited person → NAB → Sc.
1799 ► a woman in charge of a household, department, institution, etc.; the most important woman in a group, business, or organization → HEAD WOMAN 
1800 ► an important person; a pretentious person → HIGH-TONE → US sl.
E19 ► an important person → NABE → UK criminals’ sl.
1802 ► the person in charge; the most important person → GUVNER • GUVNOR → Brit. sl.
1803 ► a local official; now also any important or self-important person → ALCALDE → Amer. dial.
1812 ► a very important person, a supervisor or chief, esp. one who insists on deferential treatment → HIS NIBS → US sl.
1812 ► one who apes gentility or importance; also, a gentleman who has come down in the world → HALF-NIB → HALF-NIBS → sl. (Bk.)
1817 ► a person of consequence; a high-ranking or important person → BIG BUG → US. orig. & chiefly US (often derogatory)
1819 ► an important or consequential person → BIG ONE → sl.
1820 ► an important person → TALLBOY 
1820 ► the most important person or thing; the principal person in any undertaking; the leader; that which is essential to the success of anything → TONGUE OF THE TRUMP → Sc.
1824 ► an important person, or one who poses as such → HIGH-FLYER → US sl.
1826 ► the leader in any profession, job, or occupation; a superior; a person of importance; the best person → TOP SAWYER → sl.
1828 ► an important person; a leader; a boss → MUGWUMP → chiefly N. Amer.
1828 ► something or someone of gigantic stature or strength, physical or intellectual; an excellent person → TITAN 
1830 ► an important person → GUN → Amer. sl.
1833 ► an influential, important, or celebrated person; a big shot → BIG → Amer. colloq.
1833 ► a person of standing, authority, or office; a high-ranking or important person; a recognized leader or chief: a consequential pompous individual; an overbearing person who will allow no one to differ from his views → BIG DOG → US sl.
1834 ► a person of great importance; a high-ranking or important person → BIG GUN → sl.
1836 ► a high-ranking or important person → BIG FISH → sl., orig. US
1836 ► an important person → BIG ‘UN → sl.
1841 ► an important or the most important person; a consequential, pompous individual → BIG DOG OF THE TANYARD → US sl.
1842 ► a superior person, or one who claims to be; a high-ranking, influential, important, or celebrated person → BIG SNAG → US sl.
1843 ► an important person or one who thinks himself so; a big shot → BUG → Amer. dial.
1843 ► the most active and vocal person in a group; the chief and indispensable member of a company → STANG OF THE TRUMP → Sc.
1846 ► an important or self-important person → BIG TOAD → US sl.
1847 ► an important or the most important person → BIGGEST DOG IN THE MEAT HOUSE → US sl.
1848 ► an important person, especially in a business context → BIG BULL WITH THE BRASS COLLAR → US sl.
1848 ► an important person, especially in a business context; the principal man of a place or in an undertaking → BIG DOG WITH THE BRASS COLLAR → US sl.
1848 ► an important person, especially in a business context → BIG MAN WITH THE BRASS COLLAR → US sl.
1848 ► a leader, a chief, the most important person in the situation; a consequential person in a small town → BIGGEST TOAD IN THE PUDDLE → US sl.
M19 ► a boss; an important, influential person → GOV’NOR 
M19 ► a boss; an important, influential person → GUV 
M19 ► a superior or important person, whether actually or through pretension → HIGH MONKEY-MUCK → US sl. 
1850 ► orig. the voyageur in charge of a trading post or expedition; hence, a boss, a leader; an important person → BUGHEWAY → Amer. dial.
1855 ► an important or self-important person → TALLEST TOAD IN THE PUDDLE → Amer. dial.
1856 ► a person of high status and influence; an important person → HI-U-MUCK-I-MUCK → HI YOU MUCK A MUCK → colloq. orig. & chiefly Amer.
1856 ► a person of real or imagined authority; a self-important person; an important, pompous person; a socially prominent person → HIGH MUCK → Amer. dial.
1856 ► a superior or important person, whether actually or through pretension; a self-important person → HIGH-MUCK-A-MUCK → Amer. sl.
1856 ► an important or self-important person; a prominent person → MUCK-A-MUCK → US sl.
1856 ► an important or self-important person; a prominent person → MUCKETY-MUCK → US sl.
1856 ► a person of consequence, a ‘somebody’ → OCHT → Sc.
1857 ► a person of importance; one of much influence → HEAVYWEIGHT 
1861 ► a person of importance or influence → BIG INDIAN → US sl. (now often offensive)
1861 ► a person of importance → BIG INJUN → US sl. (now often offensive)
1861 ► the most important or outstanding person in an organization, enterprise, etc. → KING PIN 
1865 ► an important, pompous person; a socially prominent person; used disparagingly and jocularly → HIGH MUCKIE-MUCK → HIGH MUCKY-MUCK → Amer. sl.
1865 ► an important, pompous person; a socially prominent person; the principal person; the chief; used disparagingly and jocularly → HIGH-MONKEY-MONK → Amer. sl.
1868 ► an important person; a boss; a foreman → BIG AUGER → US West usage
1870 ► orig. the voyageur in charge of a trading post or expedition; hence, a boss, a leader; an important person → BOOSHWAY → Amer. dial.
1870 ► a person who fancies himself of mighty importance, but who is in reality of none at all → FLY ON THE COACH WHEEL 
1875 ► a man in a position of authority or dominance; a person who tries to appear important → KING BEE → Amer. dial.
1875 ► a fat pursy fellow, generally one who assumes an air of great importance → BLOWPOKE → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1876 ► an important person; a dignified or prominent person; a pretentious or snobbish person → HIGH-TONER → Amer. dial.
1876 ► a person of great consequence → SAMPSON PECKETT → SAMSON PECKETT → Eng. dial.
1877 ► a person of importance → NOBS → Amer. sl.
1878 ► a leader, a highly important person in his own particular sphere, a person of consequence → BIG POT → sl.
1878 ► an important, impressive person → HER NIBS → sl.
1878 ► an important person; a self-important person → HIGH COCKALORUM → sl., orig. US
1878 ► an important, powerful, or influential person → BIG MEDICINE → US sl.
1880 ► a superior or important person, whether in fact or through pretension; a self-important person; an aristocrat → MONKEY-MONK → US sl.
1880 ► someone, esp. a gambler, who pretends to be important but actually has little money, influence, or skill → TINHORN → sl.
1882 ► a person of high status and influence; an important person → HIGH MUCK-DE-MUCK → colloq. orig. & chiefly Amer.
1882 ► a person of high status and influence; a superior or important person → HIGH MUCKETY-MUCK → HIGH MUCKITY-MUCK → HIGH MUCKTY-MUCK → colloq. orig. & chiefly Amer.
1882 ► a high-ranking, influential, or important person; the boss, the leader; a person in authority → HIGH-UP → colloq.
1882 ► a person of real or imagined authority; one who tries to appear important → MONKEY-MUCK → Amer. dial.
1882 ► a man of importance, prominence, or authority; the boss; the leader → THE MAIN GUY → Amer. sl.
1884 ► an important or powerful person → BIG POTATO → sl.
1885 ► an important person, an influential figure, a boss in a situation or job → BIG CHEESE → sl.
1885 ► an important or influential man; one who is in authority → BIG MAN → US colloq.
1887 ► a manager; an overseer; a prominent or important person; sarcastically, and officious person → HEAD-BUMMER → Sc.
1887 ► an important person → POT → sl.
1887 ► the most important person in any company, enterprise, or organization; the life and soul of a party, a movement, etc. → THE TANG O’ THE TRUMP → Sc.
1888 ► a man of importance → GILDED ROOSTER → sl.
1889 ► the principal person of a place, one who rules everybody else in his own house or neighbourhood → COCK OF THE MIDDEN → Eng. dial. 
1891 ► a person of note → BIG MONARCHER → tramps’ sl. (Bk.)
1893 ► the most important or influential person in a place etc.; a big person → BIG CASINO → US sl.
1893 ► one who takes the chief part in anything; a leader, a person of consequence, a master → HEAD-SHA-RAG → HEAD-SIR-RAG → Eng. dial.
1896 ► a leader, a big shot; a person who tries to appear important → BELL-COW → Amer. dial.
1896 ► an important person; a big shot → HIGH GUY → US sl.
1896 ► a boss or foreman; an important person; the leader of a gang; the head of any organization → MAIN SQUEEZE → Amer. sl.
1896 ► a person of high rank or eminence; an important person → MARCUS SUPERBUS → Brit. theatrical sl.
1896 ► a person of high rank or eminence; an important person → MARCUS SUPERFLUOUS → Brit. theatrical sl.
1897 ► a prominent or influential man; an important, powerful man → HE-COON → US sl.
1899 ► an important person→ BIG APPLE → US criminals’ sl. 
L19 ► an important, influential person → ACE → US sl.
L19 ► a person of importance; the boss → THE MAIN STEM → US sl.
20C ► a self-important person → BUFF → Irish
20C ► the most important person; the head of any group, as a school principal, Army officer, office overseer, etc. → CHIEF ITCH AND RUB → Amer. sl.
20C ► an important or self-important male; a show-off → KNOCKER → US sl.
20C ► a person of importance → MAIN KAZAAM → US sl.
20C ► the leader or most important person in any situation → NUMBER UNO → Aust. sl.
20C ► an important person → THE BIG PIECE OF CHEESE → Amer. sl.
20C ► the most powerful or important person → TOP CAT → colloq.
1900 ► the victorious or dominant party; one who has influence, an important or superior person → TOP DOG 
1900 ► a respected person; an important figure in the community → CACK → KACK → African-American sl.
1900 ► the most important person → MAIN SQUASH → US sl.
1900 ► an important or self-important person → MUCK → US sl.
1901 ► an important man, or one considered as such → BIG GUY → US sl.
1901 ► an important or self-important person → HIS FEATHERS → US sl.
1902 ► a self-important, conceited or pretentious person → BIG IKE → Amer. dial.
1902 ► a self-important, conceited or pretentious person → IKE → Amer. dial.
1902 ► one who takes the chief part in anything; a leader, a person of consequence, a master → HEAD-MUCK → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1903 ► an important person; a foreman → AUGER → AUGUR → Amer. dial.
1903 ► a person of importance; one who thinks himself important → BEZZLER → Amer. dial.
1903 ► a man of importance or authority → MAIN KAZOO → Amer. sl.
1904 ► an important person; a self-important person → WARM WEATHER → US sl.
1904 ► a nickname for a self-important person → WHISTLE-BREECHES → Amer. dial. (derogatory or teasing)
1904 ► a nickname for a self-important person → WHISTLE-BRITCHES → Amer. dial. (derogatory or teasing)
1905 ► a very important, powerful person; a prominent and influential person in business, politics, etc. → BIG NOB → sl., orig. US
1905 ► a person of high status and influence; a superior or important person → HIGH MULDOON → US sl.
1905 ► an important person; used sarcastically → BIG HERB → Amer. dial.
1906 ► a high-ranking or important person → BIG NOISE → sl., orig. US
1908 ► a superior person, or one who claims to be; a high-ranking, influential, important, or celebrated person → BIG SHOT → sl., orig. US
1908 ► an important or self-important person ; the boss → BIG STICK → US sl.
1908 ► a self-important person → NOISE → Amer. sl.
1909 ► an important person → BIG SMOKE → US sl.
1910 ► an important person, or someone who thinks they are so → BIG SQUASH → sl.
1910 ► a skilled, successful, or important person → HOTTIE → HOTTY → Aust. & NZ sl.
1910 ► an important person → BIG WORKS → US sl.
1911 ► an important or self-important person; an influential person → BIG STUFF → sl., orig. US
1912 ► an important or the most important man → BIG CHIEF → sl., orig. US
1912 ► an important or celebrated person → BIG SCREECH → US sl.
1912 ► a boss or foreman; an important person; the leader of a gang; the head of any organization → BIG SQUEEZE → US sl.
1912 ► an important person → BIG WORKS → US sl.
1912 ► a wealthy, influential, important, or celebrated person; an aristocrat; used derisively → BIG-BUTT → US sl.
1912 ► an important person → GREAT POT → Amer. dial.
1912 ► the most important person in a given environment; the leader → THE HEAD GEE → Aust. sl.
1913 ► an important person → BIG-TIMER → sl., orig. US
1913 ► an important person, an influential figure, a boss in a situation or job → HEAD CHEESE → US sl.
1913 ► a person of importance; used derisively → SQUEEGEE → Amer. dial. (Bk.)
1914 ► an important person → BIG-LEAGUER → US sl.
1916 ► an important or the most important man; a person in authority → BIG WHITE CHIEF → orig. US
1916 ► ‘bigwigs’; very important persons → THE ARTILLERY → colloq.
1916 ► ‘bigwigs’; very important persons → THE HEAVY ARTILLERY → colloq.
1918 ► a superior or important person, whether actually or through pretension → HIGH MICKEY-DOODLE → HIGH MICKY-DOODLE → US sl.
1921 ► an important or influential man; also, a leading figure → BIG BOY → colloq., orig. US
1922 ► a particularly important, powerful, or influential person → HEAVY HITTER 
1922 ► a pretender to importance → HUGGINS AND MUGGINS → (Bk.)
1925 ► a man who is an important influence in a field; also, a forerunner or progenitor → DADDY → sl. 
1925 ► an important, influential, or powerful person → HEAVY → US sl.
1925 ► a person who behaves arrogantly and snobbishly; a putatively important person → HIGH-HAT → US sl.
1925 ► a person who behaves arrogantly and snobbishly; a putatively important person → HIGH-HATTER → US sl.
1926 ► an important or successful person; a ‘big shot’; used esp. in the entertainment industries → BIGGIE → BIGGY → sl., orig. US
1926 ► an important or prominent person in a community → HIGH COLLAR → Amer. dial.
1926 ► a superior or important person or one who claims to be superior → HIGH SHOT → sl., orig. US
1926 ► a self-important person → I AM → sl.
1929 ► an important person; a person in charge; the boss  → BIG ROD → US sl.
1930 ► an important person → BIG BEZESUS → UK sl.
1930 ► an important person → BIG HEAD → US sl.
1930 ► an extremely influential person; an important and powerful man → MACHER → Amer. sl., esp. political journalism usage
1930 ► an important, influential person → MISTAH BIG → MISTER BIG → MR. BIG → sl., orig. US
1931 ► an important person; one in authority → BIG SPUD → US sl.
1931 ► a person who has a high salary or is otherwise prominent; one who is distinguished or notable; a very important person; an influential person; a person with status; often held in contempt by others, who try to bring about this person’s downfall or ruin → TALL POPPY → Aust. colloq.
1932 ► an important person → MAGOO → Amer. sl.
1933 ► an important, influential person, esp. in business → BIG WHEEL → US sl.
1933 ► a high-ranking or important person → WHEEL → sl., orig. & chiefly US
1934 ► an important person, or one who claims to be so → BIG SHIT → US sl.
1934 ► a dandy; a pretentious, superior, self-important person → FANCY PANTS → US sl.
1934 ► a braggart or loudmouth; an important person or one who regards himself as important → LOUDSPEAKER → US sl.
1934 ► an important or consequential person or thing; a big deal; something unusually fine or valuable → SOMETHING ON A STICK → Amer. dial.
1935 ► an important person → HIGH GAZABO → US sl.
1939 ► anybody or anything large, important, superior, or remarkable → SOME SHUCKINS → Amer. dial.
1940 ► an important person; a big shot → HIGH PILLOW → Amer. sl.
1940 ► a self-important person → ADMIRAL OF THE SWISS NAVY → Amer. sl.
1940 ► a self-important person → ALL THE WHOLE CHEESE → Amer. sl.
1940 ► a person of importance → BIG BEAN → Amer. sl.
1940 ► an important person → BIG WOW-WOW → Amer. sl.
1940 ► a big shot; an important or influential person → BIG-TIME OPERATOR → US sl.
1942 ► an important, often self-important person → BIG NIGGER → Amer. sl. (derogatory)
1942 ► an important person → BIG NUMBER → US sl.
1942 ► a ‘big ‘shot’ → JOE GUN → US sl. (Bk.)
1945 ► a very important person → VEEP → US sl.
1946 ► an important or high-class person, or one who pretends to be → BLUE HEN’S CHICKEN → Amer. dial.
1946 ► an important person, a bigwig → TOP HAT → Amer. dial.
1947 ► an important or self-important person; a celebrated person → BIG DEAL → sl., orig. US
1947 ► an important or self-important person; a person who acts important → BIG DEALER → US sl.
1947 ► Pretty Important Persons → PIPERS → US Army sl. (Bk.)
1947 ► Very Important Persons → VIPERS → US Army sl. (Bk.)
1948 ► a high-ranking or important person → BIG DADDY → sl., orig. US
1950 ► a person who feels important → CAT’S WHISKER → CAT’S WHISKERS → Amer. dial.
1950 ► an important person → APPLE → US criminals’ sl.
1950 ► an important person → BIG APPLE → US criminals’ sl.
1950 ► an important, influential person → PREZ  → African-American
1951 ► an important or high-class person, or one who pretends to be → BLUE HEN’S CHICK → Amer. dial.
1952 ► a superior or important person, whether actually or through pretension → BIG MUCKY-MUCK → US sl.
1952 ► a snobbish, pompous, haughty, or overbearing person; a prominent or important person → HINCTY → US sl.
1953 ► an important, outstanding person → HEAD KNOCK → African-American sl.
1954 ► an important person → HIGH-HEAD → Amer. dial.
1955 ► an important or influential person → GEAR → US sl.
1956 ► an influential, important or celebrated person; a big shot; used derisively → BIG ASS → US sl.
1959 ► an important person; an influential figure; a boss in a situation or job → BIG SMELL → Aust. sl.
1959 ► one who thinks he is important → GREAT MAGOO → Amer. sl.
1960 ► a self-important person; a person who tries to appear important → BIG DUDE → Amer. dial.
1960 ► an important person; a big shot → ACE-COON → Amer. dial.
1960 ► an important person → THE MAN → Amer. sl.
1964 ► the most important person in a given environment; the leader → THE GEE → US sl.
1965 ► an important person → BIG DICK → sl.
1965 ► an important or consequential person or thing; a braggart; a big deal → HOT SHIT ON A STICK → Amer. dial.
1965 ► one who is rich and important → JAKE GOULD → Amer. dial.
1965 ► a woman who is rich and important → MRS. JAY GOULD → Amer. dial.
1965 ► an important or consequential person or thing; a braggart; a big deal → SHIT ON A STICK BUT HE AIN’T FART ON A SPLINTER → Amer. dial.
1965 ► an important or consequential person or thing; a braggart; a big deal → SHIT ON A STICK  → Amer. dial.
1966 ► a self-important person; one who acts important → BIG HAT → Amer. dial.
1966 ► a person of great importance or power; also, a person in command, a boss; often used with ‘the’ → BIG KAHUNA → sl., orig. & chiefly US
1966 ► an important or self-important person → BIG SHOW → Amer. dial.
1966 ► orig. the voyageur in charge of a trading post or expedition; hence, a boss, a leader; an important person → BUDGEWAY → Amer. dial.
1966 ► orig. the voyageur in charge of a trading post or expedition; hence, a boss, a leader; an important person → BUSHWA → Amer. dial.
1966 ► an important, often self-important person → HEAD NIGGER → Amer. sl.
1966 ► a boss or foreman; an important person; the leader of a gang; the head of any organization → HEAD SQUEEZE → Amer. dial.
1966 ► a pretentious or self-important woman → LADY ESTHER → Amer. dial.
1966 ► a pretentious or self-important woman → LADY ESTHERBILT → Amer. dial.
1966 ► an important, often self-important person → LEAD NIGGER → Amer. sl.
1967 ► a self-important person → ASTOR’S PET COW → Amer. dial.
1967 ► a self-important person → ASTOR’S PET HORSE → Amer. dial.
1967 ► a self-important person → ASTOR’S PET PONY → Amer. dial.
1967 ► a self-important person → ASTOR’S PLUSH HORSE → Amer. dial.
1967 ► an important person; a person of influence and authority → BIG DAD → US sl.
1967 ► an arrogant or haughty person; a person who acts important → BIG FEELER → Amer. dial.
1967 ► an important or self-important person; a person who likes to brag → BIG I → Amer. dial.
1967 ► an important or self-important person; a person who likes to brag → BIG I, LITTLE YOU → Amer. dial.
1967 ► an important, sometimes, self-important person → BOSS DOG → Amer. dial.
1967 ► a self-important person → CAT’S ASS → Amer. dial. (derogatory)
1968 ► an important person, esp. in ironic use → BIG TIME → US sl.
1968 ► an important person, or one who thinks they are → BIG TIT → US sl.
1968 ► a person who tries to appear important → BUSH → Amer. dial.
1968 ► a person who tries to appear important; a  high-and-mighty person; one who makes empty boasts → HIGH COCKALAVITCH → Amer. dial.
1968 ► a self-important person → MUCKY-MUCK → Amer. sl.
1969 ​► a leader; a big shot; a person who tries to appear important → BELL SHEEP → Amer. dial.
1969 ► a powerful person; an important or influential person → BIG BOOT → US sl.
1970 ► a prominent or important person → AFGODNESS → US sl.
1970 ► any form of important or superior person, esp. in a criminal context; a prison governor → BIG HONCHO → US sl.
1970 ► an important person → FACE CARD → Amer. sl.
1970 ► a prominent or important person → HINCTY → HINKTY → Amer. dial.
1971 ► an important or influential person → HEAVY NUMBER → sl.
1973 ► a high-ranking or important person → BIG ENCHILADA → US sl.
1974 ► a very important person → HEAVY ROLLER → US sl.
1974 ► a large, important, or impressive man → MOBY DICK 
1975 ► an important person → HERB → Amer. dial.
1975 ► an important or famous person → NAME → US sl.
1975 ► a prominent, famous, important, or celebrated person, usually in the field of entertainment → BIG NAME → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1975 ► a ‘top dog’ → BIG WIENIE → Amer. student sl. (Bk.)
1976 ► an important person → VEST → US sl.
1977 ► an important person, an influential person; the boss → BIG VEGETABLE → sl., orig. US
1977 ► an eminent or important man → THE MAIN MAN → Amer. sl.
1978 ► an important or influential person; used derisively → BIG WAZOO → US sl.
1978 ► an important person, or one who claims to be so → BIG-SHIT-SHOT → US sl.
1980 ► a person of authority and importance → HIGH MAN ON THE TOTEM POLE → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
1984 ► an important or influential person; a boss → BIG BANANA → US sl.
1984 ► an important person, an influential person; a boss in a situation or job → BIG SUGAR → sl.
1984 ► the chief, the person in charge; the most important person present; the manager → HEAD BUMMAROO → UK sl.
1984 ► a snobbish, pompous, or overbearing person; a prominent or important person → HINCHY → Amer. dial.
1987 ► a large or important person or thing → KAHUNA → US sl.
1990 ► an important, influential, powerful person → MOCHER → US sl.
1990 ► an important, influential Black man, a power in the community; a very successful or skilful man → MACK DADDY → MCDADDY → African-American sl.
1990 ► an important, influential figure → POPPA LARGE → US Black teen & East Coast sl.
1992 ► a big shot in an organization or group → HEAD RAMMER → Amer. (Bk.)
1996 ► the most important person in some small group → BIGGEST DUCK IN THE PUDDLE → Amer. dial. (Bk.)
1996 ► the most important person in some small group → BIGGEST FROG IN THE POND → Amer. dial. (Bk.)
1998 ► an important person → BIG-TIME CHARLIE → US sl.
1999 ► a person who is important or influential, but only within a limited area or among a small group → BIG FISH IN A LITTLE POND → (Bk.)
2000 ► an important guy → BIG BARRACUDA → hipster sl. (Bk.)
2002 ► a show-off; someone who is important or self-important enough to be ostentatious → JACK THE BISCUIT → UK sl. 
2003 ► an important or self-important person → BIG COG → sl.
2003 ► an important, influential person → BIG MAGILLA → US sl.
2004 ► a person seen as important and influential only within the limited scope of a small organization or group → BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND → (Bk.)
2004 ► an important person in a small place or position; someone who is respected and honoured in a small company, school, or city; a leader in a small group → BIG FROG IN A SMALL POND → Amer. colloq. (Bk.)
2006 ► an important person → BIGEE → Amer. sl. (Bk.)

VERBS
1440 ► to have other business to do, other fish to fry → HAVE OTHER HAFT(S) IN HAND → obs.
1470 ► to assume authority or importance → TAKE → obs.
1600 ► to have great importance → TURN THE BALANCE 
1604 ► to have great importance → TURN THE BEAM → obs.  
1674 ► to have an appearance of importance → CARRY A GREAT FACE → obs.
1751 ► to be of importance, consequence, or use; to signify → ARGUFY → colloq.
1774 ► to be important or influential: said of a person → BE NO SMALL DRINK → Sc.
1835 ► to assume more than one’s proper authority; to feel important, independent, or disturbingly confident → BE TOO BIG FOR ONE’S BRITCHES → Amer. dial.
1910 ► to be influential or important → PACK A KICK → sl., orig. US
1910 ► to be influential or important → PACK A PUNCH → sl., orig. US
1910 ► to be influential or important → PACK A WALLOP → sl., orig. US
1910 ► to be influential or important → PACK ONE → sl., orig. US
1910 ► to say something important and true → SAY A MOUTHFUL → orig. US
1910 ► to say something important and true → SAY AN ARMFUL → orig. US
1910 ► to make an important statement, to say something profound → SAY SOMETHING → US sl.
1910 ► to say something important and true → SPEAK A MOUTHFUL → orig. US
1916 ► to have an urgent, important, or secret plan or project in the making → HAVE A HEN ON → Amer. dial.
1927 ► to live a life of luxury and ease; to live prosperously; to feel happy; to be important → FART THROUGH SILK → US sl.
1933 ► to matter, to be of importance → BOTHER ONE’S TIME → Amer. dial.
1941 ► to strengthen; to add vigour, power, or importance to → BEEF UP → sl.
1949 ► to have an urgent, important, or secret plan or project in the making → HAVE A HEN ON THE NEST → Amer. dial.
1953 ► to overstate your importance → BIG-NOTE YOURSELF → Aust. sl.
1953 ► to be very powerful or important; to be exceptionally able or talented → HANG THE MOON → Amer. dial.
1956 ► to treat as a VIP → DUCHESS → Aust. sl.
1960► to be important and influential → WALK HEAVY → African-American sl.
1964 ► to grasp the import of something said → GET THE MESSAGE → sl.
1984 ► of an important person: to make an informal tour on foot → DO A WALKABOUT → UK sl.
1999 ► to attempt to inflate your importance → BIG-NOTE YOURSELF → Aust. sl. (Bk.)
1999 ► to reach an important or critical stage → COME TO THE BOIL → (Bk.)