illustrious

adjective

il·​lus·​tri·​ous i-ˈlə-strē-əs How to pronounce illustrious (audio)
1
: notably or brilliantly outstanding because of dignity or achievements or actions : eminent
2
archaic
a
: shining brightly with light
b
: clearly evident
illustriously adverb
illustriousness noun

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Today’s spotlight is on illustrious, from the Latin adjective illustris, meaning "shining brightly with light." Illustris itself was probably a back-formation of the Latin verb illustrare, a word with varied meanings, among them "to light up," "to make clear," and "to embellish." (Our word illustrate also comes from illustrare, of course; its original meaning was "to enlighten intellectually, culturally, or spiritually.") At one time, illustrious could be used synonymously with its immediate Latin forbear to describe things that glow brightly, but that meaning is now considered archaic. The word today is almost exclusively used to describe something—such as a career or achievement—that stands out figuratively, shining brilliantly in the mind's eye.

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web Lenny Kravitz is a rockstar in every way, transcending boundaries of race, genre, class, and style over his illustrious three-decade career that, recently, earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024 And the illustrious people who inspire bio-pics offer great showcases for actors. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024 The Mexican superstar’s NYC show also highlighted her illustrious 30-year career, filled with nostalgia and celebration. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Mar. 2024 Admiral de Gaulle spent his life in the shadow of his father, France’s wartime savior and the founder of its Fifth Republic, despite his own illustrious record in the French Resistance and his distinguished military career afterward. Adam Nossiter, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 With its sadistic violence, taboo sexuality, and grim depiction of postwar London, Peeping Tom was a flop that essentially ended the illustrious career of director Michael Powell, falling into obscurity until Martin Scorsese rescued it and rehabilitated its reputation with a 1979 re-release. Katie Rife, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2024 The illustrious singer was impressed by his body of photo work and perhaps just as much by his thoughtful touch ahead of their meeting: a bouquet of yellow roses. Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024 With its illustrious reputation hanging in the balance, the boarding school begins a sweeping public relations campaign that includes cobbling together a two-person Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team more interested in inclusive visuals than actual change. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 The Sideways star instead offered his illustrious peers a forum to chop it up for an hour or so about subjects that rarely come up during press junkets. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illustrious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin illustris, probably from illustrare

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of illustrious was in 1588

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Dictionary Entries Near illustrious

Cite this Entry

“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illustrious. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

illustrious

adjective
il·​lus·​tri·​ous il-ˈəs-trē-əs How to pronounce illustrious (audio)
: very outstanding : eminent
illustriously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on illustrious

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