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

Cabinets of curiosities encompassed the pursuit of power, beauty, learning, wealth, wonder and prestige. —Anne Wallentine, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023

And despite the synthetic fabric costing a lot less than natural fibers, a range of companies (from luxury houses to trendy labels and prestige brands) are still overcharging for their poly-incorporating designs. —Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 10 Nov. 2023

Her extraordinary work spans such a vast range of subjects and her passion for quality and prestige storytelling fits so well with our ethos at Dorothy Street. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 7 Nov. 2023

These films can promote their latest works, while other anticipated prestige films like Sony’s GameStop saga Dumb Money, featuring Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson, and America Ferrera, hit theaters in September without an interim agreement/actor promo and flopped at the box office. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2023

All that the protagonists of The Gilded Age want is to fund and produce prestige entertainment without being bothered by the annoyance of striking workers! —Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 1 Nov. 2023

Race is not immaterial to the loss of prestige that critics have faced. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2023

However, school name and prestige were influential factors for her Jamaican parents. —Uwa Ede-Osifo, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2023

Dominating the New York skyline brought prestige and publicity, but tall towers also resolved a more prosaic problem: As land prices climbed, developers had to build upward to turn a profit, pushing their projects as high as engineering, natural light and, eventually, zoning would allow. —Michael Snyder, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023

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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