prestige
Americannoun
-
reputation or influence arising from success, achievement, rank, or other favorable attributes.
- Synonyms:
- importance, weight
- Antonyms:
- disrepute
-
distinction or reputation attaching to a person or thing and thus possessing a cachet for others or for the public.
The new discothèque has great prestige with the jet set.
adjective
noun
-
high status or reputation achieved through success, influence, wealth, etc; renown
-
-
the power to influence or impress; glamour
-
( modifier )
a prestige car
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of prestige
First recorded in 1650–60, for an earlier sense; from French (originally plural): “deceits, delusions, juggler's tricks,” from Latin praestīgiae “juggler's tricks,” variant of praestrīgiae, derivative of praestringere “to blind, blunt,” literally, “to bind hard, tie up,” from prae- pre- + stringere “to draw tight” ( see stringent)
Explanation
People, cars, schools, clubs, banks––all can be said to have prestige. Star in a blockbuster movie? Your prestige level just shot up. Make a really bad faux pas? Your prestige just went down. When something has prestige it is said to be prestigious. Often this is applied to colleges –– "After earning straight As and lettering in three Varsity sports, Vivian had her choice among prestigious universities." To remember this word, think about pres- — people or things with prestige often are covered by the press.
Vocabulary lists containing prestige
Trumps
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Prestige package steps out on 22-inch wheels and all-season tires.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026
I like the Blue Note album covers, Prestige album covers, his style, his way of life.
From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026
Prestige Consumer Healthcare has signed a deal to buy a portfolio of brands that includes the Breathe Right nasal strip from privately held Foundation Consumer Healthcare for $1.045 billion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
"As part of our ongoing operational review, production at our Barlaston factory is to focus on high-end, hand-crafted products, including Jasperware and Prestige Bone China, maintaining unique, local skills," the firm said.
From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026
We stroll past another couple of storefronts, then, as if we planned it, turn around together and head back to Prestige.
From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
