prominent

adjective

prom·​i·​nent ˈprä-mə-nənt 

ˈpräm-nənt

1

: standing out or projecting beyond a surface or line : protuberant

2

a

: readily noticeable : conspicuous

b

: widely and popularly known : leading

prominently adverb

Synonyms

• arresting
• bodacious
• bold
• brilliant
• catchy
• commanding
• conspicuous
• dramatic
• emphatic
• eye-catching
• flamboyant
• grabby
• kenspeckle [chiefly Scottish]
• marked
• noisy
• noticeable
• pronounced
• remarkable
• showy
• splashy
• striking

Choose the Right Synonym for prominent

noticeable, remarkable, prominent, outstanding, conspicuous, salient, striking mean attracting notice or attention.

noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation.

a piano recital with no noticeable errors

remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment.

a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background.

a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town

outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind.

honored for her outstanding contributions to science

conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind.

conspicuous bureaucratic waste

salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it.

the salient points of the speech

striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision.

the region's striking poverty

Examples of prominent in a Sentence

… and a small precise mouth he kept pursed over teeth a shade too prominent and yellow. —John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994

When the easy way out seemed to be for a number of prominent men to support a petition to get Davis a pardon, which, if granted, would get the President and others off the hook, Davis was determined to let them hang there. —Robert Penn Warren, Jefferson Davis Gets His Citizenship Back, 1980

His eyes, which tended to bulge when he was exercised, were not quite prominent. —E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974

I don't mind his calling me raw. He is reckoned raw himself and at the same time perhaps the most prominent of the younger poets here. —Robert Frost, letter, c. 16 June 1913

He quickly became prominent in the music industry.

He placed the award in a prominent position on his desk.

He has a prominent nose.

the most prominent peak in the mountain range

Recent Examples on the Web

DeWine noted Vance also is a strong communicator who has been a prominent Trump surrogate on television and is effective in delivering his message. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 16 July 2024

Founded in 2020, Wiz has quickly grown and secured investments from prominent firms like Sequoia Capital and Insight Partners. —Abid Ali, CNBC, 15 July 2024

Between the lines: The deal puts Lasseter, who is set to take a leadership role in the combined company, in his most prominent animation position since he was fired from Pixar in 2018 following misconduct allegations. —Tim Baysinger, Axios, 15 July 2024

The boards offer a comprehensive look at Billboard’s prominent role in supporting Latin music’s global explosion. —Quincy Green, Billboard, 15 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English promynent, borrowed from Latin prōminent-, prōminens "projecting, standing out," from present participle of prōminēre "to project beyond a surface, stick out, stick up," from prō- pro- entry 2 + -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 1

Phrases Containing prominent

• saddled prominent

Kids Definition

prominent

adjective

prom·​i·​nent ˈpräm(-ə)-nənt 

1

: sticking out beyond a surface or line

2

: easily noticeable

the prominent sound was the drumbeat

3

: distinguished, eminent

our most prominent citizens

prominently adverb

Medical Definition

prominent

adjective

prom·​i·​nent ˈpräm-(ə-)nənt 

: standing out or projecting beyond a surface