eminent
adjective
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On Imminent and Eminent
Imminent bears a close resemblance to eminent, and native English-speakers can be excused if they sometimes have to check their spelling. No surprise, really, since the two, despite their very distinct meanings, come from near-identical sources. The Latin minēre means basically “to project, overhang,” and it forms the root of other Latin words. One added the prefix e-, meaning “out from,” to produce eminēre, “to stand out”; another took the prefix im-, meaning “upon,” and became imminēre, “to project.” The difference between “stand out” and “project” is obviously small. Still, even when eminent and imminent first appeared as English words in the 15th and 16th centuries respectively, they were clearly distinct in meaning, imminent’s prefix having strengthened the “overhang” sense of minēre to give the word its frequent suggestion of looming threat.
Synonyms
- astral
- bright
- distinguished
- illustrious
- luminous
- noble
- notable
- noteworthy
- outstanding
- preeminent
- prestigious
- redoubtable
- signal
- star
- superior
Example Sentences
Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 20 May 1994 Next year sees the 150th anniversary of the 'invention' of the dinosaurs by the eminent English anatomist and palaeontologist, Richard Owen. Nicholas Fraser, Nature, 20 & 27 Dec. 1990 many eminent surgeons are on the hospital's staff Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2022 The seven-year arrangement, announced Thursday and worth at least $7 billion over the life of the contract, cements the Big Ten as one of the nation’s pre-eminent college sports leagues. New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 These were the sorts of calamities foreseen long before 2020 by eminent epidemiologists such as Donald Henderson, who directed the successful international effort to eradicate smallpox. John Tierney, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 Eshelman’s stock comes from Takeda, the eminent Wagyu farmer whose cattle come from the Shimane and Hyogo prefectures in Japan. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Aug. 2022 In addition to being one of the top providers of Gold IRAs, these days Kitco is regarded as the pre-eminent website for news, analysis, and commentary on the gold and silver markets. Iron Monk Solutions, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Aug. 2022 On Saturday morning, Gustavo Dudamel stood before a large orchestra of young musicians, along with a handful of eminent mentors seated among them, ready to give the downbeat. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2022 The hypothesis might never have gained credibility and moved to the scientific mainstream without the contributions of Lynn Margulis, an eminent American microbiologist. New York Times, 27 July 2022 The hypothesis might never have gained credibility and moved to the scientific mainstream without the contributions of Lynn Margulis, an eminent American microbiologist. Keith Schneider, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2022 See More Word History
Middle English, "standing out, exceed other things in quality or degree," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, "high, lofty" (also continental Old French), borrowed from Latin ēminent-, ēminens "standing out above a surface, projecting, outstanding in merit or importance," from present participle of ēminēre "to stick out, protrude, project, be preeminent, excel," from ē-, variant of ex- ex- entry 1 + -minēre, taken to mean "stand out, rise above" (unattested without a prefix) — more at minatory
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing eminent
Kids Definition
eminent
adjective
eminent
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- distinguished
- outstanding
- illustrious
- prestigious
- famous
- notable
- noteworthy
- renowned
- superior
- celebrated
- preeminent
- honored
- noble
- star
- signal
- redoubtable
- luminous
- famed
- bright
- reputable
- infamous
- glorious
- exalted
- astral
- notorious
- dominant
- predominant
- paramount
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- minor
- insignificant
- unimportant
- inferior
- average
- obscure
- mediocre
- unsung
- uncelebrated
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of eminent are celebrated, distinguished, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.
The synonyms celebrated and eminent are sometimes interchangeable, but celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.
In some situations, the words distinguished and eminent are roughly equivalent. However, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.
Although the words famous and eminent have much in common, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.
The meanings of illustrious and eminent largely overlap; however, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.
While in some cases nearly identical to eminent, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.
Notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.
The words renowned and eminent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, renowned implies more glory and acclamation.