dignitary
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of dignitary
Explanation
A dignitary is a very important person (VIP), usually from another country. Major dignitaries from other countries might get to meet the President when they visit the U.S. If you see the word dignity in dignitary, it gives you a clue to its meaning. When we treat people with dignity, we're treating them with respect. Dignitaries get a lot of respect, because they're important and powerful people in their country — heads of state, ambassadors, and royalty are all dignitaries. It's not easy to become a dignitary: you'd better either be born into the right family or become a powerful person in some other way.
Vocabulary lists containing dignitary
Unit 1: Telling Details
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Unit 1: Telling Details
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"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce
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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.
See Examples For:
Zach Witkoff also met Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in April of last year, during a visit where he was feted like a visiting dignitary, with a fireworks display in his honor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 29, 2026
Despite early courtesies - India's then national security adviser Brajesh Mishra was the first foreign dignitary to congratulate Khaleda Zia - trust proved thin.
From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2026
The Secret Service, the CHP and Los Angeles police do not discuss details of dignitary protection in terms of deployment, numbers, or travel teams.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2025
Military Academy’s ensemble in West Point, N.Y., perform at inaugurations and foreign dignitary visits.
From New York Times ● May 27, 2024
In July 1938, Premier Vyacheslav Molotov, another important Soviet dignitary, hosted a special reception for Valentina and her crew at his own summer house.
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
After Miller’s death in 1935, the hotel’s reputation spread even further, attracting dignitaries of the day — and the future.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026
In normal circumstances, when American dignitaries come to Normandy for the anniversary to pay their respects, it’s a solemn but proud occasion.
From Salon ● Jun. 9, 2026
Applauded by entrepreneurs, friendly foreign dignitaries and officials, inside the congress hall the Russian president could style himself as a super strong leader.
From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026
The few foreign dignitaries who visit are often gifted Akhal-Teke -- including former French President Francois Mitterrand, Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's leader Xi Jinping.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
His father, coming up Parker Head in the custody of the town dignitaries.
From "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt
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.
