eminent

[em-uh-nuhnt]

adjective

1. high in station, rank, or repute; prominent; distinguished.

   eminent statesmen.

   Synonyms: noted, illustrious, renowned, celebrated
   Antonyms: obscure, unknown

2. conspicuous, signal, or noteworthy.

   eminent fairness.

   Synonyms: outstanding, remarkable, noteworthy, notable

3. lofty; high.

   eminent peaks.

4. prominent; projecting; protruding.

   an eminent nose.

eminent

/ ˈɛmɪnənt /

adjective

1. above others in rank, merit, or reputation; distinguished

   an eminent scientist

2. (prenominal) noteworthy, conspicuous, or outstanding

   eminent good sense

3. projecting or protruding; prominent

Other Word Forms

• eminently adverb
• noneminent adjective
• quasi-eminent adjective
• quasi-eminently adverb
• uneminent adjective
• uneminently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of eminent¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin ēminent-, stem of ēminēns “outstanding, projecting,” present participle of ēminēre “to stand out, project,” from ē- e- ¹ + min- “to put forward, stick out” + ēre, infinitive verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of eminent¹

C15: from Latin ēminēre to project, stand out, from minēre to stand

Synonym Study

See famous.

Example Sentences

The Santa Monica City Council agreed earlier this week to pay a settlement to the family of a Black entrepreneur whose land the city acknowledged was unfairly taken through eminent domain during the 1950s.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Nancy Shear wasn’t yet out of her teens when she was hired as musical assistant to the eminent and enigmatic symphony conductor Leopold Stokowski, who became her mentor and a father figure of sorts.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A mosquito spots the eminent man and zooms over to wheedle in his ear, but Bashō remains immobile.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The title recognises saints who "made an outstanding or eminent contribution to our knowledge of the faith," according to the Catholic Church of England and Wales.

Read more on BBC

You don't need me to remind you that the prime minister used to be an eminent lawyer.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• big-name 
• distinguished 
• esteemed 
• famed 
• high-ranking www.thesaurus.com
• illustrious 
• noted 
• outstanding 
• preeminent 
• prominent 
• renowned 
• well-known 

When To Use

What does eminent mean?

Eminent means high in station, rank, or reputation.Its noun form, eminence, refers to a position of superiority, high rank or status, or fame.Someone who is eminent is prominent or distinguished in some way, especially within a particular field. The word is often associated with scholars.Eminent is similar to prominent 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.The word preeminent means extremely eminent—eminent or outstanding above all others.The adverb eminently usually just means highly or very. It’s typically used to modify (describe) adjectives, as in She is eminently qualified. Example: He has achieved prominence in his field of study and is one of the most eminent scholars in the nation.