prominent

[ prom-uh-nuhnt ]

adjective

1. standing out so as to be seen easily; particularly noticeable; conspicuous:

   Her eyes are her most prominent feature.

   Antonyms: inconspicuous, unobtrusive

2. standing out beyond the adjacent surface or line; projecting.

   Synonyms: protuberant, obvious

3. leading, important, or well-known:

   a prominent citizen.

   Synonyms: distinguished, renowned, famed, famous, celebrated, eminent

   Antonyms: unknown, obscure

prominent

/ ˈprɒmɪnənt /

adjective

1. jutting or projecting outwards
2. standing out from its surroundings; noticeable
3. widely known; eminent

Derived Forms

• ˈprominently, adverb
• ˈprominentness, noun

Other Words From

• prom·i·nent·ly adverb
• non·prom·i·nent adjective
• o·ver·prom·i·nent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prominent¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin prōminent- (stem of prōminēns ), present participle of prominēre “to project, stand out,” equivalent to pro- pro- ¹ + -minēre; imminent

Word History and Origins

Origin of prominent¹

C16: from Latin prōminēre to jut out, from pro- ¹+ ēminēre to project

Example Sentences

So then-President George H.W. Bush and other prominent Republicans endorsed Treen in the House runoff.

From The Daily Beast

Failure to bond to their parents was the prominent reason children were being given away.

From The Daily Beast

Both Boledi and Ahwazi have been prominent critics of Tehran for decades.

From The Daily Beast

Fink stresses the need for Nigeria to train and deploy women into more prominent law enforcement roles.

From The Daily Beast

But the abuse continues at the hands of some of the most prominent “Western” gurus today.

From The Daily Beast

Dockier, a prominent leader of the Levelers, in the times of the English commonwealth, was shot by order of the government.

From Project Gutenberg

Long Jack was a prominent, but despite his joviality, it seems to me a pathetic figure.

From Project Gutenberg

The first evening we went to it, and he, unobserved, made furtive sketches of the most prominent people and the prettiest girls.

From Project Gutenberg

On the upper part of each of these posts was a rude carving of a hideous human face with prominent teeth.

From Project Gutenberg

In that position I met from time to time, not only many prominent railway men, but also other men of mark.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• distinguished
• eminent
• great
• high-profile
• leading
• notable
• noted
• notorious
• outstanding
• popular
• preeminent
• renowned
• respected
• well-known