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

With Russia embroiled in the war with Ukraine, Hezbollah decapitated and battered by the Israel Defense Forces, and Iran struggling with domestic matters and international prestige loss, the rebels likely saw an ideal time to strike. —Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024

China isn’t seeing any pickup in prestige beauty demand for several foreign brands, a trend expected to continue in the near term, weighing on P&G’s skincare products sales. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

What’s in a name When giftedness became a matter of prestige rather than a particular learning style and need, all bets were off. —Karin Klein, The Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2024

Julia Roberts and Jennifer Lawrence had similar hot streaks upon first gaining fame, neither incorporated prestige TV along with film. —Carla Meyer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024

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