illustrious

adjective il·lus·tri·ous \ i-ˈlə-strē-əs \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of illustrious

1 : notably or brilliantly outstanding because of dignity or achievements or actions : eminent

2 archaic

a : shining brightly with light

b : clearly evident

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illustriously

adverb

—

illustriousness

noun

See illustrious defined for English-language learners

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illustrious was our Word of the Day on 11/26/2017. Hear the podcast!

Examples of illustrious in a Sentence

He has had an illustrious military career.
an illustrious physicist who is a sure bet for a Nobel Prize

Recent Examples of illustrious from the Web

The hotel’s guiding program—including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hiking—has its origins in the illustrious Swiss Mountain guides.

— katie arnold, Outside Online, "Banff's Top Family Adventures," 11 Apr. 2018
Süle should feel encouraged that Heynckes rates him so highly, as the Bayern coach has one of the most illustrious records of any coach in Europe.

— SI.com, "Jupp Heynckes Hails 'World Class' Potential of Young Bayern Munich Defender," 9 Apr. 2018
So far this year, during his illustrious inaugural collegiate campaign, Strickland has accumulated 44 strikeouts in 40 innings of action and only surrendered a total of six walks.

— samford athletics, AL.com, "Samford baseball takes sole possession of first place with 7-0 shutout at The Citadel," 7 Apr. 2018
On April 13, a new store will pop up on Sloane Street's illustrious paving stones in the form of the NSPCC's Fashion Re-told.

— charlotte sutherland-hawes, A-LIST, "The NSPCC is Coming Into Fashion," 6 Apr. 2018
The dynamics currently driving campus activism are coming to a head at the illustrious historically black university in the nation’s capital.

— adam harris, The Atlantic, "The New Tenacity of Student Activism," 4 Apr. 2018
Years later Scolletta, who does video work for the City of Somerville filming civic meetings and high school events, suggested making a film about the history of Boston’s illustrious music scene.

— james sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston in the late ’70s: when rock was grimy," 3 Apr. 2018
Jeering, a bleacher sport with a long and not-so-illustrious history, is apparently the least of it.

— ana veciana-suarez, miamiherald, "Misbehaving parents need a time-out from youth sports | Miami Herald," 2 Apr. 2018
In this episode, the illustrious guest geek is Bill Gates, who s partners with Penny’s (Kaley Cuoco) pharmaceutical company.

— andrew r. chow, New York Times, "What’s on TV Thursday: ‘Siren’ and ‘Atlanta’," 29 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'illustrious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Illustrious people seem to light up everything around them. The etymology of illustrious makes it clear that a shining glow (both literal and figurative) has long been associated with the word. "Illustrious" ultimately derives from the Latin verb lustrare, which means "to purify" or "to make bright," and which is related to the noun that gave us "luster." At one time, "illustrious" was used in the literal sense of "shining brightly with light," but that meaning is now considered archaic. The word is now almost exclusively used in its figurative application to describe something that stands out brilliantly, much like a bright star stands out in the sky.

Origin and Etymology of illustrious

Latin illustris, probably from illustrare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1588

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illustrious Synonyms

Synonyms

astral, bright, distinguished, eminent, luminous, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, preeminent, prestigious, redoubtable, signal, star, superior;

Near Antonyms

insignificant, minor, unimportant;

average, inferior, mediocre;

obscure, uncelebrated, unsung;

infamous, notorious;

dominant, paramount, predominant;

Synonym Discussion of illustrious

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

ILLUSTRIOUS Defined for English Language Learners

illustrious

adjective

Definition of illustrious for English Language Learners

: admired and respected very much because a lot was achieved

ILLUSTRIOUS Defined for Kids

illustrious

adjective il·lus·tri·ous \ i-ˈlə-strē-əs \

Definition of illustrious for Students

: admired and respected because of greatness or achievement

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illustrious

Definition of illustrious

illustriously

illustriousness

illustrious was our Word of the Day on 11/26/2017. Hear the podcast!

Examples of illustrious in a Sentence

Recent Examples of illustrious from the Web

Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of illustrious

illustrious Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of illustrious

ILLUSTRIOUS Defined for English Language Learners

illustrious

Definition of illustrious for English Language Learners

ILLUSTRIOUS Defined for Kids

illustrious

Definition of illustrious for Students

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