dignitary

[dig-ni-ter-ee]

noun

plural

dignitaries 

1. a person who holds a high rank or office, as in the government or church.

dignitary

/ ˈdɪɡnɪtərɪ, -trɪ /

noun

1. a person of high official position or rank, esp in government or the church

Other Word Forms

• dignitarial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dignitary¹

First recorded in 1665–75; dignit(y) + -ary

Example Sentences

The president and other dignitaries didn’t rush to Butte County as they did after the 2018 Camp fire.

From Los Angeles Times

“I need to go in the exact way that a foreign dignitary would go,” he insists.

From Los Angeles Times

California officials then put into place a plan for the California Highway Patrol to provide dignitary protection for Harris.

From Los Angeles Times

Putin and Kim joined 24 other dignitaries who had been invited to the Beijing parade on behalf of Xi.

From BBC

In September, the agency also is responsible for international dignitaries and VIPs at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

From BBC

Related Words

• celebrity 
• luminary