dignitary
Americannoun
plural
dignitariesnoun
Other Word Forms
- dignitarial adjective
Etymology
Origin of dignitary
Explanation
A dignitary is a very important person (VIP), usually from another country. Major dignitaries from other countries might get to meet the President when they visit the U.S. If you see the word dignity in dignitary, it gives you a clue to its meaning. When we treat people with dignity, we're treating them with respect. Dignitaries get a lot of respect, because they're important and powerful people in their country — heads of state, ambassadors, and royalty are all dignitaries. It's not easy to become a dignitary: you'd better either be born into the right family or become a powerful person in some other way.
Vocabulary lists containing dignitary
Unit 1: Telling Details
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Unit 1: Telling Details
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"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce
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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.
Zach Witkoff also met Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in April of last year, during a visit where he was feted like a visiting dignitary, with a fireworks display in his honor.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026
"Almost certainly you've got a major local dignitary making themselves at home here," he added.
From BBC • Jan. 11, 2026
California officials put in place a plan to provide Harris with dignitary protection after President Trump ended an arrangement that gave his opponent in last year’s election extended Secret Service security coverage.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2025
Military Academy’s ensemble in West Point, N.Y., perform at inaugurations and foreign dignitary visits.
From New York Times • May 27, 2024
In July 1938, Premier Vyacheslav Molotov, another important Soviet dignitary, hosted a special reception for Valentina and her crew at his own summer house.
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
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.
