prestige

noun

pres·​tige pre-ˈstēzh 

-ˈstēj

often attributive

1

: standing or estimation in the eyes of people : weight or credit in general opinion

2

: commanding position in people's minds

prestigeful

pre-ˈstēzh-fəl 

-ˈstēj-

adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for prestige

influence, authority, prestige, weight, credit mean power exerted over the minds or behavior of others.

influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously.

used her influence to get the bill passed

authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief.

his opinions lacked authority

prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority.

the prestige of the newspaper

weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices.

their wishes obviously carried much weight

credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others.

his credit with the press

Examples of prestige in a Sentence

Her career as a diplomat has brought her enormous prestige.

The job has low pay and low prestige.

The family has wealth and social prestige.

Recent Examples on the Web

Whether that trend continues this year remains to be seen, but WWE has done a strong job of restoring much of the prestige King and Queen of the Ring had lost over the years. — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

The group has already seen a loss of support from other segments of Lebanese society as a result of its loss of prestige from defeats at the hands of Israel. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2026

According to Circana, this group spends $173 billion annually on general merchandise, with prestige beauty representing 6 percent of that — the fastest-growing category. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 23 June 2026

If good-enough advice becomes cheap and ubiquitous through AI, the premium on the prestige alternative goes up, not down. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, conjuror's trick, illusion, from Latin praestigiae, plural, conjuror's tricks, from praestringere to graze, blunt, constrict, from prae- + stringere to bind tight — more at strain

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prestige

noun

pres·​tige pre-ˈstēzh 

-ˈstēj

: importance in the eyes of other people

prestigious

-ˈstij-əs

adjective

prestigiously adverb

prestigiousness noun