eminent

adjective

em·​i·​nent ˈe-mə-nənt How to pronounce eminent (audio)
1
: exhibiting eminence especially in standing above others in some quality or position : prominent
2
: standing out so as to be readily perceived or noted : conspicuous
3
: jutting out : projecting

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On Imminent and Eminent

Imminent bears a close resemblance to eminent, and native English-speakers can be excused if they sometimes have to check their spelling. No surprise, really, since the two, despite their very distinct meanings, come from near-identical sources. The Latin minēre means basically “to project, overhang,” and it forms the root of other Latin words. One added the prefix e-, meaning “out from,” to produce eminēre, “to stand out”; another took the prefix im-, meaning “upon,” and became imminēre, “to project.” The difference between “stand out” and “project” is obviously small. Still, even when eminent and imminent first appeared as English words in the 15th and 16th centuries respectively, they were clearly distinct in meaning, imminent’s prefix having strengthened the “overhang” sense of minēre to give the word its frequent suggestion of looming threat.

Choose the Right Synonym for eminent

famous, renowned, celebrated, noted, notorious, distinguished, eminent, illustrious mean known far and wide.

famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.

a notorious gangster

distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

Examples of eminent in a Sentence

The trend discerned by Wilde a century ago, of course, has only accelerated in recent years, as the line between trashy celebrity exposés and serious biographies of eminent artists, statesmen and thinkers has grown increasingly blurred. Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 20 May 1994
Next year sees the 150th anniversary of the 'invention' of the dinosaurs by the eminent English anatomist and palaeontologist, Richard Owen. Nicholas Fraser, Nature, 20 & 27 Dec. 1990
many eminent surgeons are on the hospital's staff
Recent Examples on the Web Benito Mussolini’s American fan section consisted of the eminent literary critic Irving Babbitt, a legendary Harvard professor, and the modernist poet Ezra Pound. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2024 Here are four eminent voices from the oil and gas industry who weigh in on the subject. Ian Palmer, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 There's a new report that was published by the Council on Criminal Justice and an eminent research group that does just gold standard work. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 Yet past writings by the eminent scholar, now 89, shed some light on how Hollywood names became passionate about collecting Nepalese art. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2024 The place to see and be seen in Los Angeles since 1966, the breathtaking Fairmont Century Plaza is like a movie set, staging the scene for countless presidential visits, monumental performances by musical legends, TV filming locations, and eminent awards ceremonies, including the Emmys and Grammys. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Feb. 2024 Israel and another eminent Spinoza biographer, Steven Nadler, have shed light on these key relationships. Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Over the past 29 years, the meeting has become a major scientific forum at which healthcare professionals have a unique opportunity to learn about advances in research and therapeutics directly from many of the most eminent investigators in the field. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2024 An 800-foot-long pergola, the vision of Lord Leverhulme and eminent landscape architect Thomas Mawson, borders the gardens of Inverforth’s House. Mark David, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eminent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "standing out, exceed other things in quality or degree," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, "high, lofty" (also continental Old French), borrowed from Latin ēminent-, ēminens "standing out above a surface, projecting, outstanding in merit or importance," from present participle of ēminēre "to stick out, protrude, project, be preeminent, excel," from ē-, variant of ex- ex- entry 1 + -minēre, taken to mean "stand out, rise above" (unattested without a prefix) — more at minatory

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of eminent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near eminent

Cite this Entry

“Eminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eminent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

eminent

adjective
em·​i·​nent ˈem-i-nənt How to pronounce eminent (audio)
: standing above others especially in rank, worth, or achievement
an eminent physician
eminently adverb

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