eminent

[ em-uh-nuhnt ]

adjective

1. high in station, rank, or repute; prominent; distinguished:

   eminent statesmen.

   Synonyms: illustrious, renowned, celebrated, noted

   Antonyms: obscure, unknown

2. conspicuous, signal, or noteworthy:

   eminent fairness.

   Synonyms: outstanding, remarkable, noteworthy, notable

3. lofty; high:

   eminent peaks.

4. prominent; projecting; protruding:

   an eminent nose.

eminent

/ ˈɛmɪnənt /

adjective

1. above others in rank, merit, or reputation; distinguished

   an eminent scientist

2. prenominal noteworthy, conspicuous, or outstanding

   eminent good sense

3. projecting or protruding; prominent

Derived Forms

• ˈeminently, adverb

Other Words From

• emi·nent·ly adverb
• non·emi·nent adjective
• quasi-emi·nent adjective
• quasi-emi·nent·ly adverb
• un·emi·nent adjective
• un·emi·nent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of eminent¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin ēminent-, stem of ēminēns “outstanding, projecting,” present participle of ēminēre “to stand out, project,” from ē- e- ¹ + min- “to put forward, stick out” + ēre, infinitive verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of eminent¹

C15: from Latin ēminēre to project, stand out, from minēre to stand

Synonym Study

See famous.

Example Sentences

Did those warnings from authoritative sources — eminent figures Trump once appointed to high-ranking jobs — have any effect on his voters as election day approaches?

From Los Angeles Times

Among the pop idols of the New Wave movement, none were more eminent than Lynda Trang Đài, often labeled the “Vietnamese Madonna.”

From Los Angeles Times

Yes, the Home Rule Crisis, which according to eminent Oxford historian Robert Blake strained Britain’s incrementally constructed democratic institutions “to the uttermost limit,” was the long-tail result of conflict in Ireland, the perennial stone in the British Empire’s shoe.

From Salon

The eminent folklorist Jan Harold Brunvand traced them at least as far back as the 1970s, when immigrants from Southeast Asia reached these shores.

From Los Angeles Times

She called for the city to explore the use of eminent domain: having government acquire land or buildings, even if the property owner doesn’t want to sell.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• big-name
• distinguished
• esteemed
• famed
• high-ranking
• illustrious
• noted
• outstanding
• preeminent
• prominent
• renowned
• well-known