# eminent

/ˈɛmənənt/ (US) · /ˈɛmɪnənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/eminent
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. distinguished and respected

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

famous, respected, and important, especially in a professional or academic field.

For teachers: 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.

Teaching tip: Learners frequently confuse this with 'imminent'. Remind them that 'eminent' relates to 'fame' while 'imminent' relates to 'time'.

### 2. remarkable or great

adjective · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

used to describe a quality that is very clear or strong.

For teachers: noteworthy or remarkable in degree; used to emphasize a particular positive quality.

- 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.

### 3. high or lofty

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

standing out above other things; high up.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She is an eminent scientist in her field.
- The eminent professor gave a lecture on climate change at the university.
- His status as an eminent jurist ensured that his legal opinions carried significant weight in the final ruling.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.