prestige
Americannoun
-
reputation or influence arising from success, achievement, rank, or other favorable attributes.
- Synonyms:
- importance, weight
- Antonyms:
- disrepute
-
distinction or reputation attaching to a person or thing and thus possessing a cachet for others or for the public.
The new discothèque has great prestige with the jet set.
adjective
noun
-
high status or reputation achieved through success, influence, wealth, etc; renown
-
-
the power to influence or impress; glamour
-
( modifier )
a prestige car
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of prestige
First recorded in 1650–60, for an earlier sense; from French (originally plural): “deceits, delusions, juggler's tricks,” from Latin praestīgiae “juggler's tricks,” variant of praestrīgiae, derivative of praestringere “to blind, blunt,” literally, “to bind hard, tie up,” from prae- pre- + stringere “to draw tight” ( see stringent)
Explanation
People, cars, schools, clubs, banks––all can be said to have prestige. Star in a blockbuster movie? Your prestige level just shot up. Make a really bad faux pas? Your prestige just went down. When something has prestige it is said to be prestigious. Often this is applied to colleges –– "After earning straight As and lettering in three Varsity sports, Vivian had her choice among prestigious universities." To remember this word, think about pres- — people or things with prestige often are covered by the press.
Vocabulary lists containing prestige
Trumps
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This Week in Pop Culture: January 26 - February 1, 2019
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Achievement First 7th Grade IA 1 Words
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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.
Revenue in Coty’s prestige business rose 1% to $771.8 million, but inched down 0.5% on a like-for-like basis.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
"Motorcycles remain more emotionally driven purchases than cars. Heritage, racing history and brand prestige still matter much more, giving established Japanese and European manufacturers a stronger defensive position," Russo said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 9, 2026
Corrections & Amplifications McLaren was among the prestige auto brands on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
Joining them are the HBO powerhouses “The Gilded Age” and “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” along with Apple TV’s “Your Friends and Neighbors” and last year’s biggest prestige TV conversation piece, “Pluribus.”
From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026
I would finally be able to restore to my mother the wealth and prestige that she had lost after my father’s death.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
