dignitary

[ dig-ni-ter-ee ]

noun

, plural dig·ni·tar·ies.

1. a person who holds a high rank or office, as in the government or church.

dignitary

/ ˈdɪɡnɪtərɪ; -trɪ /

noun

1. a person of high official position or rank, esp in government or the church

Other Words From

• dig·ni·tar·i·al [dig-ni-, tair, -ee-, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dignitary¹

First recorded in 1665–75; dignit(y) + -ary

Example Sentences

Tennis dignitary Chris Evert stands behind her, forced into rapturous laughter along with 14,000 others inside the arena.

From The Daily Beast

We are the bridge between the foreign visiting dignitary and the U.S. government.

From The Daily Beast

“Large crowds flocked to the jail, where they greeted him like a visiting dignitary,” Gardner writes.

From The Daily Beast

Many of them, such as a visiting French dignitary fresh off a plane from Paris at the age of 103, proved that 90 is the new 30.

From The Daily Beast

Bespectacled and wearing a proper suit, Ban looked every bit the serious dignitary.

From The Daily Beast

I desired him to accompany me to call on this dignitary, but he did not seem at all anxious for the job.

From Project Gutenberg

The high-priest was a great dignitary, and generally belonged to the royal family.

From Project Gutenberg

His deportment at this solemn ceremony, as related by a church dignitary, was fully edifying.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not long before the curtain was drawn aside again, and one entered who seemed to be a dignitary of the court.

From Project Gutenberg

And this great dignitary pointed to me with scorn and said: "Number one foolo."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• celebrity
• luminary