If you describe someone as an illustrious person, you mean that they are extremely well known because they have a high position in society or they have done something impressive.
...the most illustrious scientists of the century.
...his long and illustrious career.
Synonyms: famous, great, noted, celebrated More Synonyms of illustrious
illustrious in British English
(ɪˈlʌstrɪəs)
adjective
1.
of great renown; famous and distinguished
2.
glorious or great
illustrious deeds
3. obsolete
shining
Derived forms
illustriously (ilˈlustriously)
adverb
illustriousness (ilˈlustriousness)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Latin illustris bright, distinguished, famous, from illustrāre to make light; see illustrate
illustrious in American English
(ɪˈlʌstriəs)
adjective
1. Obsolete
a.
lustrous; shining; bright
b.
very clear; evident
2.
very distinguished; famous; eminent; outstanding
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈfamous
Derived forms
illustriously (ilˈlustriously)
adverb
illustriousness (ilˈlustriousness)
noun
Word origin
< L illustris, clear, conspicuous, distinguished (back-form. < illustrare: see illustrate) + -ous
Examples of 'illustrious' in a sentence
illustrious
Yet its illustrious past is also a burden.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Second rows have an illustrious history as Lions leaders.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Nor his skill in engineering a cast so full of illustrious names.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You have to search hard for clues to her illustrious career.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She was inspired by an illustrious past.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The first was that we got into a winning position against our illustrious opponents.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It has become the custom for cricket trophies to be named after illustrious and relevant former players.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He has also won countless awards during his illustrious career.
The Sun (2016)
Books remain at the core of the festival and we are thrilled to have such illustrious names joining us again this year.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Here are some of the princess's illustrious predecessors who have made a name forthemselves.
The Sun (2015)
It is a game that boasts a long and illustrious history in its birthplace of India.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He switched serenely between keyboard and guitar throughout, just as his illustrious predecessor used to do.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Ireland could not keep up the tempo, the blanket hounding of their illustrious opponents.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Two years ago, she retired from her illustrious tennis career.
Christianity Today (2000)
Maybe the Brazilian with the illustrious name was in the wrong series.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It is an illustrious name and he does not want it used right, left and centre.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
BEHIND the uninspiring name lies a company with an illustrious past.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
As well as looking back on an illustrious career, it hinted at the way he sees his future.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This is a site with an illustrious history, but little in the way of physical evidence on the ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
WE could witness the final curtain being brought down on one of the most illustrious careers in football tonight.
The Sun (2006)
It's up to his physio and doctor to make sure it does not come back because he could have a very long and illustrious career.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Precisely the same argument applies to one of Fury's most illustrious predecessors as heavyweight champion.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Three times league champions, Wolves have dropped there only twice before in their illustrious history.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In days gone by Milan would still have been the favourites in this tie but they are a shadow of the great sides of their illustrious past.
The Sun (2011)
For others, it represents more than they have earned in their life, or more than illustrious predecessors earned in a career.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
illustrious
British English: illustrious ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as an illustrious person, you mean that they are extremely well known because they have done something impressive.
...the most illustrious scientists of the century.
American English: illustrious
Brazilian Portuguese: ilustre
Chinese: > 著名的人
European Spanish: ilustre
French: illustre
German: berühmt
Italian: illustre
Japanese: 著名な
Korean: 저명한
European Portuguese: ilustre
Latin American Spanish: ilustre
(adjective)
Definition
famous and distinguished
the most illustrious scientists of the century
Synonyms
famous
England's most famous landscape artist, John Constable
great
the great American president, Abraham Lincoln
noted
Chomsky's father was a noted Hebrew scholar.
The paper has never been noted for its foreign affairs coverage.
celebrated
He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.
signal
brilliant
a brilliant success
remarkable
He was a remarkable man.
distinguished
a distinguished academic family
prominent
a prominent member of the Law Society
glorious
He had a glorious career spanning more than six decades.
noble
She was described by contemporaries as possessing a noble bearing and excellent manners.
splendid
a splendid career in publishing
notable
the notable occultist, Madame Blavatsky
renowned
The area is renowned for its churches.
eminent
an eminent public figure
famed
exalted
Opposites
obscure
,
notorious
,
humble
,
infamous
,
lowly
,
meek
,
unassuming
,
ignoble
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brilliant
Definition
splendid
a brilliant success
Synonyms
splendid,
grand,
famous,
celebrated,
rare,
supreme,
outstanding,
remarkable,
superb,
magnificent,
sterling,
glorious,
exceptional,
notable,
renowned,
heroic,
admirable,
eminent,
sublime,
illustrious
in the sense of celebrated
Definition
well known
He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.