prominent

adjective

prom·​i·​nent ˈprä-mə-nənt 

ˈpräm-nənt

1

a

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

prominent cheekbones

a prominent nose/chin

the most prominent peak in the mountain range

b

: readily noticeable : conspicuous

With smaller tiles, the grout lines will be more prominent because the tiles themselves take up less space.

—Sarah Baird

Books about clans and castles were prominent on the shelves in our den in a Chicago suburb.

—Cameron McWhirter

2

: widely and popularly known : leading

The new policy is opposed by prominent members of the faculty.

The largemouth bass is the most prominent and sought-after fish, but there are many different species in the lake.

—Gabi De la Rosa

prominently adverb

The award is prominently positioned where everyone can see it.

Synonyms of prominent

• noticeable
• commanding
• dramatic
• remarkable
• marked

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

Naroditsky’s death shook the chess world and burst into the mainstream, with The New York Times, The Washington Post, and prominent European media websites reporting the news. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025

Korshak also provided counsel to Sears, Bloomingdale's, Plaza Escada, The Gap and Old Navy, as well as the most prominent malls on the Magnificent Mile, according to her website. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

The Columbia University grad comes from a prominent family. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025

But one of the most recent and prominent transformations to the job market is the introduction of AI. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for prominent

• dominant
• nondominant
• predominant
• subdominant

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