prestigious
adjective
-ˈstē-
Did you know?
You might expect, based on how adjectives are often formed in English, that today’s word is an extension of the noun prestige. However, although both words share the same Latin root, they entered English by different routes and at different times. Moreover, both adjective and noun once had more to do with trickery than respect when they were first used. Prestigious came directly from the Latin adjective praestigiosis, meaning “full of tricks” or “deceitful,” and had a similar meaning upon entering English in the mid-16th century. Praestigiosis in turn came from the plural noun praestigiae, meaning “conjurer’s tricks.” This noun also gave English the word prestige, though it first passed through French and arrived a century after prestigious. Though it wasn’t first on the block, prestige influenced prestigious in a different way, by eventually developing an extended sense of “standing or esteem.” That change spurred a similar development in prestigious, which now means simply “illustrious or esteemed.”
Examples of prestigious in a Sentence
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2026
The founder of the prestigious Jesuit-Sheaner Relays is battling dementia, which has affected his short-term memory.
—Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
These restaurant additions could earn stars, the most prestigious and sought-after of Michelin’s awards; bib gourmand awards, which indicate value; or nods as new and notable.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Sophomore forward Sarah Strong and redshirt senior guard Azzi Fudd were both named finalists for the prestigious national player of the year honor Wednesday, adding the nod to their ever-growing list of accolades.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prestigious
Cite this Entry
“Prestigious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prestigious. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy Citation
