To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of éminence grise
1 : a confidential agent especially : one exercising unsuspected or unofficial power
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share éminence grise
Time Traveler for éminence grise
The first known use of éminence grise was in 1925
See more words from the same year