illustrious

[ih-luhs-tree-uhs]

adjective

1. highly distinguished; renowned; famous.

   an illustrious leader.

   Synonyms: famed, eminent, celebrated

2. glorious, as deeds or works.

   many illustrious achievements.

3. Obsolete.,  luminous; bright.

illustrious

/ ɪˈlʌstrɪəs /

adjective

1. of great renown; famous and distinguished

2. glorious or great

   illustrious deeds

3. obsolete,  shining

Other Word Forms

• illustriously adverb
• illustriousness noun
• unillustrious adjective
• unillustriously adverb
• unillustriousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of illustrious¹

1560–70; < Latin illustri ( s ) bright, clear, famous (equivalent to illustr ( āre ) to brighten ( il- ¹, luster ¹ ) + -is adj. suffix) + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of illustrious¹

C16: from Latin illustris bright, distinguished, famous, from illustrāre to make light; see _illustrate

Example Sentences

But it was a night when the underdogs struck fear into more illustrious opponents, without managing to strike a telling blow.

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But it was a night when the underdogs struck fear into more illustrious opponents, although without managing to strike a telling blow.

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A bout between the two, which according to reports would likely be on Netflix, would earn Joshua tens of millions of pounds and represent one of the biggest paydays of his illustrious career.

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On March 14, 2008, he was invited into the presence of one of the biggest and most famous bullish investors in Wall Street banks, plus that of the illustrious former chairman of the Federal Reserve.

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But on Wednesday night, he closed the book on the ballpark he has called home for all 18 seasons of his illustrious MLB career.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• distinguished 
• eminent 
• esteemed 
• exalted 
• famed 
• glorious 
• lofty 
• noble 
• outstanding 
• remarkable 
• renowned 
• splendid 
• well-known