prestigious

[ pre-stij-uhs, -stij-ee-uhs, -stee-juhs, -stee-jee-uhs ]

adjective

1. indicative of or conferring prestige:

   the most prestigious address in town.

   Synonyms: distinguished

2. having a high reputation; honored; esteemed:

   a prestigious author.

   Synonyms: notable, illustrious

Other Words From

• pres·tigious·ly adverb
• pres·tigious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prestigious¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin praestigiōsus “full of tricks, deceitful,” from praestigi(ae) “juggler's tricks” ( prestige ) + -ōsus -ous

Example Sentences

In February 2010, as Republicans gathered for the prestigious annual Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., the Center for Immigration Studies’ longtime executive director, Mark Krikorian, sat on a panel about immigration reform in front of a packed audience, along with Robert Rector from the Heritage Foundation and Steve King, the lightning-rod congressman from Iowa.

From Salon

The grandson of Hollywood mogul Lew Wasserman and owner of a prestigious talent agency, he is seen as critical to wooing benefactors and corporate sponsors.

From Los Angeles Times

The prestigious prize is open to works of fiction written in English by authors anywhere in the world and published in the UK or Ireland.

From BBC

The decision follows weeks of parent anger and questions, culminating in a heated town hall meeting Thursday night at Walter Reed Middle School, during which parents of students enrolled in the prestigious programs contended district officials changed the admissions policies behind closed doors and without a compelling reason.

From Los Angeles Times

Salford University's Centenary Building, which won Britain's most prestigious architectural award when it was first built, is to be demolished.

From BBC

Related Words

• distinguished
• esteemed
• famed
• illustrious
• important
• impressive
• prominent
• renowned
• reputable
• respected