prominent

prom·i·nent

adjective \ˈprä-mə-nənt, ˈpräm-nənt\

Definition of PROMINENT

1

: standing out or projecting beyond a surface or line : protuberant

2

a : readily noticeable : conspicuous

b : widely and popularly known : leading

— prom·i·nent·ly adverb

Examples of PROMINENT

1. He quickly became prominent in the music industry.
2. He placed the award in a prominent position on his desk.
3. He has a prominent nose.
4. the most prominent peak in the mountain range
5. … and a small precise mouth he kept pursed over teeth a shade too prominent and yellow. —John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994
6. When the easy way out seemed to be for a number of prominent men to support a petition to get Davis a pardon, which, if granted, would get the President and others off the hook, Davis was determined to let them hang there. —Robert Penn Warren, Jefferson Davis Gets His Citizenship Back, 1980
7. His eyes, which tended to bulge when he was exercised, were not quite prominent. —E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974
8. I don't mind his calling me raw. He is reckoned raw himself and at the same time perhaps the most prominent of the younger poets here. —Robert Frost, letter, c. 16 June 1913

Origin of PROMINENT

Middle English promynent, from Latin prominent-, prominens, from present participle of prominēre to jut forward, from pro- forward + -minēre (akin to mont-, mons mountain) — more at mount

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PROMINENT

Synonyms

arresting, bodacious, bold, brilliant, catchy, commanding, conspicuous, dramatic, emphatic, eye-catching, flamboyant, grabby, kenspeckle [chiefly Scottish], marked, noisy, noticeable, pronounced, remarkable, showy, splashy, striking

Antonyms

inconspicuous, unemphatic, unflamboyant, unnoticeable, unobtrusive, unremarkable, unshowy

Related Words

detectable, discernible (also discernable), observable, perceptible, recognizable, visible; outstanding, salient; distinguished, eminent, impressive, notable, noteworthy; highlighted, spotlighted; flagrant, glaring, howling, screaming; flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, jazzy, loud, meretricious, swank (or swanky), tawdry; highfalutin (also hifalutin), ostentatious, pretentious; extravagant, fancy, florid, glittery, spectacular; opulent, ornate, overdone, overwrought; absorbing, engrossing, enthralling, fascinating, interesting, riveting

Near Antonyms

subtle; concealed, hidden, shrouded; dim, faint, obscure; insignificant, undistinguished, unimportant; modest, unaffected, unassuming, unpretentious; conservative, plain, quiet, simple, understated; muted, restrained, subdued, subtle, toned-down, unflashy

See Synonym Discussion at noticeable

Rhymes with PROMINENT

dominant

prom·i·nent

adjective \ˈpräm-(ə-)nənt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PROMINENT

: standing out or projecting beyond a surface