Word
eminent
Phoneticsem·i·nent, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɛmənənt/
UK/ˈɛmɪnənt/
Definitions
01distinguished and respected
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. famous, respected, and important, especially in a professional or academic field.
adj. distinguished, prominent, or noteworthy; typically used to describe individuals with a high reputation in a specific domain.
“The university invited an eminent scientist to speak at the graduation ceremony.”
“The conference featured several eminent historians who debated the long-term socio-economic impacts of the industrial revolution.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies, though it can follow a linking verb.
Pitfall
The danger of a storm is eminent.
The danger of a storm is imminent.
Do not confuse 'eminent' (famous/respected) with 'imminent' (about to happen soon).
Teaching tip
Learners frequently confuse this with 'imminent'. Remind them that 'eminent' relates to 'fame' while 'imminent' relates to 'time'.
Antonyms
02remarkable or great
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Literary
adj. used to describe a quality that is very clear or strong.
adj. noteworthy or remarkable in degree; used to emphasize a particular positive quality.
Español:prócer
“The judge was a man of eminent good sense and fairness.”
“The author writes with eminent clarity, making even the most complex philosophical arguments accessible to a general audience.”
Synonyms
03high or lofty
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
adj. standing out above other things; high up.
adj. physically high, lofty, or protruding. This sense is largely restricted to older texts or specific technical descriptions of terrain.
“The castle was built on an eminent hill overlooking the entire valley.”
“From their eminent position atop the ridge, the scouts could track the movement of the caravan across the plains below.”
Antonyms
Confusables
Eminent describes a person of high status; imminent describes an event that is about to occur.
RememberEminent is for Excellence; Imminent is for In Minutes.
Real-World Examples
“When Adam Riches bounds on stage in character as eminent comedy critic Caliban Monroe, it looks like his show The Critic’s Way might land uncomfortably closer to the bone.” “For the eminent sociologist Paul Gilroy , responsibility for the row lies with the “culture warriors” who appointed Arday, as well as “racist critics” – and comes at a critical time for the sector.” Etymology
From Middle French éminent, from Latin present participle ēminēns, ēminentis, from verb ēmineō (“to project, protrude”), from ex- (“out of, from”) + mineō, related to mons (English mount). Compare with imminent. Unrelated to emanate, which is instead from mānō (“to flow”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/eminent
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0