illustrious
[ ih-luhs-tree-uhs ]
/ ɪˈlʌs tri əs /
adjective
highly distinguished; renowned; famous: an illustrious leader.
glorious, as deeds or works: many illustrious achievements.
Obsolete. luminous; bright.
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RELATED WORDS
noble, renowned, splendid, remarkable, outstanding, exalted, famed, eminent, well-known, distinguished, glorious, lofty, esteemed, brilliant, celebrated, great, heavy, monster, name, notable
Nearby words
- illustrated,
- illustration,
- illustrational,
- illustrative,
- illustrator,
- illustriously,
- illuvial,
- illuviate,
- illuviation,
- illuvium
Origin of illustrious
SYNONYMS FOR illustrious
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for illustrious
illustrious
/ (ɪˈlʌstrɪəs) /
adjective
of great renown; famous and distinguished
glorious or greatillustrious deeds
obsolete shining
Word Origin for illustrious
C16: from Latin illustris bright, distinguished, famous, from illustrāre to make light; see illustrate
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
illustrious
1560s, from Latin illustris "lighted, bright, brilliant;" figuratively "distinguished, famous," probably a back-formation from illustrare "embellish, distinguish, make famous" (see illustration). Sometimes also illustrous. Replaced illustre in same sense (mid-15c.), from Middle French illustre.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper