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

Both the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup were vehicles for President Vladimir Putin to project Russian prestige, while wielding a staggering crackdown on civil society and LGBTQ rights. —Human Rights Watch, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025

This week, the internet got a fun little treat when Mad Men, a pinnacle of early prestige TV, landed on HBOMax after a long absence from streaming services. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025

Sephora Middle East now operates across all six GCC countries, and prestige beauty remains the fastest-growing luxury category in the region, up 12 percent in 2024. —Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 8 Dec. 2025

That audience doesn’t come to the theater for prestige swings. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Dec. 2025

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