illustrious
Americanadjective
-
highly distinguished; renowned; famous.
an illustrious leader.
- Synonyms:
- famed, eminent, celebrated
-
glorious, as deeds or works.
many illustrious achievements.
-
Obsolete. luminous; bright.
adjective
-
of great renown; famous and distinguished
-
glorious or great
illustrious deeds
-
obsolete shining
Other Word Forms
- illustriously adverb
- illustriousness noun
- unillustrious adjective
- unillustriously adverb
- unillustriousness noun
Etymology
Origin of illustrious
1560–70; < Latin illustri ( s ) bright, clear, famous (equivalent to illustr ( āre ) to brighten ( il- 1, luster 1 ) + -is adj. suffix) + -ous
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.
Like many illustrious figures, the cowboy turns out to be a more nuanced individual than the often one-dimensional representations of the silver screen.
From Los Angeles Times
His illustrious career is set to take in a 100th cap against Ireland - a fitting fixture given it will be his 14th appearance against Farrell's side, his highest tally versus any nation.
From BBC
Unfortunately, these illustrious figures are badly written and stiffly played.
From Los Angeles Times
The Berlin Film Festival will kick off on Thursday evening with an eclectic selection of films reflecting current upheavals, and with Wim Wenders, one of Germany's most illustrious directors, heading the jury.
From Barron's
Liverpool have been renowned for late drama across their illustrious history.
From BBC
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.
