eminent

adjective

em·​i·​nent ˈe-mə-nənt 

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.

Synonyms of eminent

• distinguished
• outstanding
• prestigious
• illustrious
• famous
• notable

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

Over the next few decades, as Coach K won five national titles and turned Duke into, arguably, the sport’s pre-eminent program, tenting grew increasingly popular. —Storey Wertheimer, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026

Alcorn passed away at 71 in January 2025 as possibly the world’s pre-eminent pedal steel player, driven by a vision to bring as much out of it as possible and, in doing so, to gracefully apprehend and interpret whatever music caught her interest. —H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026

In 1977, two eminent astrophysicists proposed that the anomalous aluminum likely came from a nearby supernova explosion. —James Dinneen, Quanta Magazine, 2 Mar. 2026

The pre-eminent spring Classics squad at the turn of the 2020s, Soudal–Quick-Step are no longer on top of that perch. —Andy McGrath, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026

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

Phrases Containing eminent

• eminent domain

Rhymes for eminent

• remanent
• preeminent

Kids Definition

eminent

adjective

em·​i·​nent ˈem-i-nənt 

: standing above others especially in rank, worth, or achievement

an eminent physician

eminently adverb