prestige

[pre-steezh, -steej]

noun

1. reputation or influence arising from success, achievement, rank, or other favorable attributes.

   Synonyms: importance, weight
   Antonyms: disrepute

2. 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

1. having or showing success, rank, wealth, etc.

prestige

/ prɛˈstiːʒ /

noun

1. high status or reputation achieved through success, influence, wealth, etc; renown

2. 1. the power to influence or impress; glamour

   2. ( modifier )

      a prestige car

Other Word Forms

• prestigeful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prestige¹

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” ( stringent )

Word History and Origins

Origin of prestige¹

C17: via French from Latin praestigiae feats of juggling, tricks; apparently related to Latin praestringere to bind tightly, blindfold, from prae before + stringere to draw tight, bind

Example Sentences

It was the public support and undeserved prestige that rankled.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

All three have released films in an assortment of genres, but outside of profitable horror films, it’s the prestige Oscar players that have put them on the map.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A conservative who favors blue jackets and a roomy handbag, she vowed on taking office to “work like a horse” to revitalize Japan’s economy and burnish the country’s global prestige.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Danes and Rhys each starred in popular, critically acclaimed prestige dramas — she in “Homeland,” he in “The Americans.”

Read more on Salon

Becoming a partner at McKinsey, like similar promotions at law firms and banks like Goldman Sachs, can transform a career, bringing higher pay and prestige.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cachet 
• dignity 
• esteem 
• importance 
• power 
• prominence 
• reputation 
• standing 
• stature 
• status 
• weight