prestige

American  

[pre-steezh, -steej] / prɛˈstiʒ, -ˈstidʒ /

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.

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adjective

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

prestige British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• prestigeful adjective

Etymology

Origin of prestige

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 )

Example Sentences

In the process, oil and gas became key contributors to U.S. economic growth and prestige.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

It’s a sushi restaurant that is of very high prestige.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

The hosts discuss how billionaire dealmaking and rebrand fatigue is hurting the network’s reputation for edgy, prestige TV.

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2026

"The expectation that citizens should make sacrifices for 'tourism revenue and economic impact' or for 'enhancing national prestige through K-pop promotion' feels outdated," wrote columnist Choi Moon-sun.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

The first to give prestige to such troops was Alberigo of Conio from the Romagna.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

Related Words

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