dignitary
/ˈdɪɡnɪt(ə)ri
/noun (plural dignitaries)
A person considered to be important because of high rank or office: the guests included former shareholders, local dignitaries, and many of the people directly involved with the project I presented bouquets to visiting dignitaries at my prep school...
- As with Tours in the past, it is hoped to have a number of local dignitaries present to start off this year's event.
- Councillors and local dignitaries invited to the opening were equally enthused by the new centre.
- These words were spoken by important dignitaries and by ordinary men and women.
Synonyms
grandee, important person, VIP, very important person, notable, notability, worthy, personage, luminary, public figure, pillar of society, leading light, leader, panjandrum;
famous person, distinguished person, eminent person, eminence, celebrity, celebutante, personality, name, big name, household name, star, superstar
informal heavyweight, bigwig, biggie, top brass, top dog, Mr Big, big gun, big shot, big noise, big fish, big cheese, big chief, supremo, somebody, someone, celeb, Lord Muck, Lady Muck
British informal nob
North American informal big wheel, kahuna, big kahuna, big enchilada, top banana, macher, high muckamuck, high muckety-muck
Origin
Late 17th century: from dignity, on the pattern of the pairs propriety, proprietary.