prestige

noun

pres·​tige pre-ˈstēzh 

-ˈstēj

often attributive

1

: standing or estimation in the eyes of people : weight or credit in general opinion

2

: commanding position in people's minds

prestigeful

pre-ˈstēzh-fəl 

-ˈstēj-

adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for prestige

influence, authority, prestige, weight, credit mean power exerted over the minds or behavior of others.

influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously.

used her influence to get the bill passed

authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief.

his opinions lacked authority

prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority.

the prestige of the newspaper

weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices.

their wishes obviously carried much weight

credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others.

his credit with the press

Examples of prestige in a Sentence

Her career as a diplomat has brought her enormous prestige.

The job has low pay and low prestige.

The family has wealth and social prestige.

Recent Examples on the Web

The new position had less prestige, a worse schedule, and fewer perks, but a court dismissed her claim outright because the transfer, even if discriminatory, did not affect her pay or rank in the police department. —Ming-Qi Chu, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024

Fallout, quite cleverly, straddles the line between ultraviolent exploitation and prestige series. —Richard Newby, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024

Off stage, Rose has made a name for herself in a number of television and film roles, from camp classics like From Justin to Kelly to prestige dramas like The Good Wife. —Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024

Such grunt work has long been a rite of passage in investment banking, an industry at the top of the corporate pyramid that lures thousands of young people every year with the promise of prestige and pay. —Rob Copeland, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024

After all these years, her prestige remains unshaken. —Jaelani Turner-Williams, Variety, 28 Mar. 2024

What the series share is a tone that splits the difference between prestige costume drama, high melodrama, and fairy tale (the Elizabeths come from a family that practices magic). —Judy Berman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024

Originally from rural Brittany, Pinault moved from his father’s timber business to owning prestige vineyards, Gucci, high-end cruise lines, and ... —Brian T. Allen, National Review, 4 Apr. 2024

Indeed, the Achilles’ heel of such items is discounting, which chips away at the aura of prestige. —The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, conjuror's trick, illusion, from Latin praestigiae, plural, conjuror's tricks, from praestringere to graze, blunt, constrict, from prae- + stringere to bind tight — more at strain

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prestige

noun

pres·​tige pre-ˈstēzh 

-ˈstēj

: importance in the eyes of other people

prestigious

-ˈstij-əs

adjective

prestigiously adverb

prestigiousness noun