eminence

American  

[em-uh-nuhns] / ˈɛm ə nəns /

Sometimes eminency

noun

1. high station, rank, or repute.

   philosophers of eminence.

   Synonyms:

   fame, note, conspicuousness

   Antonyms:

   obscurity

2. a high place or part; a hill or elevation; height.

   Synonyms:

   prominence

3. (initial capital letter) a title of honor, applied to cardinals (usually preceded by His orYour ).

4. Anatomy. an elevation or projection, especially on a bone.

---

eminence ¹ British  

/ ˈɛmɪnəns /

noun

1. a position of superiority, distinction, high rank, or fame

2. a high or raised piece of ground

3. anatomy a projection of an organ or part

---

Eminence ² British  

/ ˈɛmɪnəns /

noun

1. a title used to address or refer to a cardinal

---

Usage

What does eminence mean? Eminence is a position of superiority, high rank or status, or fame. In other words, eminence is the state of being eminent—high in station, rank, or reputation. Someone who is eminent is prominent or distinguished in some way, especially within a particular field. The word is often associated with scholars. Eminence is similar to prominence but is perhaps even more positive. Someone who is prominent is well-known and often important. Someone who is considered eminent is often both well-known and well-respected. Still, the words are often used in overlapping ways. Eminence is used in a more specific way as a title or a way of addressing a high-ranking official within a hierarchy. In the Catholic Church, it’s used to address a cardinal. When used this way, it is usually capitalized and used with a pronoun, as in Your Eminence. A less common variant of eminence is eminency. Example: He has achieved eminence in his field of study and is one of the most highly regarded academics in the nation.

Etymology

Origin of eminence

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Anglo-French from Latin ēminentia, equivalent to ēmin- (base of ēminēre “to stand out”) + -entia noun sufffix; eminent, -ence

Explanation

Eminence is superior status. If you become a world famous actor, the folks in your home town might treat you as an eminence when you come home for Thanksgiving. Just don't expect your family to do the same. Eminence traces back to the Latin adjective ēminēntia, meaning high or lofty. We don't usually use it for mountain tops, however; it's social loftiness that scores eminence. Some special people are addressed as "your eminence," in the same way you'd call a judge "your honor." You can attain eminence or be an eminence. If you become a physical therapist, you might work with another kind of eminence: the high bit protruding from a bone where tendons or ligaments attach.

Example Sentences

They included novelist King, astrophysicist Tyson and numerous book and magazine writers of varied eminence.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Among the directors present, the eminence was Ross McElwee, winner of the fest’s one annual award, who appeared to introduce his new film, “Remake,” in its North American premiere.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

We now live in an era that can be safely summarized as the end of science's peacetime, and perhaps the end of the general eminence of once mighty institutions of higher learning.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2025

In that historical context, Ms Murty's critics say that someone of her stature and eminence should be more aware of what she says in public.

From BBC • Jul. 28, 2023

Cicero was the great eminence of the Roman age—a lawyer, a politician, and so not only Rome’s greatest theorist of rhetoric but its greatest practitioner.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Related Words

• greatness
• prestige
• prominence
• renown