dignitary

[ dig-ni-ter-ee ]

/ ˈdɪg nɪˌtɛr i /

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See synonyms for: dignitary / dignitaries on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural dig·ni·tar·ies.

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

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of dignitary

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

OTHER WORDS FROM dignitary

dig·ni·tar·i·al

[dig-ni-tair-ee-uhl], /ˌdɪg nɪˈtɛər i əl/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dignitary in a sentence

It was seen by a small delegation of star-struck prelates and dignitaries who later described the film as “moving.”
Pope Francis Has the Pleasure of Meeting Angelina Jolie for a Few Seconds|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A few blocks away, dignitaries, including Tony Blair, held court in the upscale Serena Hotel.
Rwanda Remembers 100 Days of Terror on Genocide’s 20th Anniversary|Nina Strochlic|April 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Capricia Marshall has spent four years as the link between the White House and visiting foreign dignitaries.
Washington's Protocol Chief Capricia Marshall Steps Down|Sandra McElwaine|August 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Before the race she met dignitaries in the grandstand, including Amanda Elliott, the vice chairman of the Victoria Racing Club.
Camilla: Melbourne Makes Ascot Look Small|Tom Sykes|November 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST

In autumn, the kitchen had to serve squash soup to visiting Korean dignitaries.
12 Juicy Bits From Michelle Obama’s Garden Book|Alex Klein|May 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Many of her high dignitaries, and even popes, were men who had risen from the humbler ranks of society.
Gospel Philosophy|J. H. Ward
She was young and beautiful; the great world knew her; even the highest dignitaries had been interested in her.
Dream Tales and Prose Poems|Ivan Turgenev
The stalls at the west end of the choir are wider than the others, and are used by the higher dignitaries of the cathedral.
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Carlisle|C. King Eley
With passionate wrath he rushed upon kings, priests, and dignitaries.
The History of Modern Painting, Volume 1 (of 4)|Richard Muther
Then we reached the door and found the small room crowded with officials and dignitaries.
The Colonel of the Red Huzzars|John Reed Scott

British Dictionary definitions for dignitary

dignitary

/ (ˈdɪɡnɪtərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun plural -taries

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dignitary

Origin of dignitary

OTHER WORDS FROM dignitary

Words related to dignitary

How to use dignitary in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dignitary