# prestigious

/pɝˈstidʒəs/ (US) · /pɹɛstˈɪdʒəs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prestigious
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

respected and admired because of high quality, success, or influence. You use this to describe things like top universities, famous awards, or important jobs.

For teachers: possessing high status or stature; inspiring respect and admiration through perceived excellence or influence. Often used to describe institutions, awards, or professional positions.

## Examples

- She won a prestigious award for her scientific research.
- Graduating from such a prestigious university often opens doors to high-level careers in law and international business.
- The fellowship remains one of the most prestigious honors in the humanities, attracting thousands of applications from the world's leading scholars every year.

## Usage notes

- Typically precedes the noun it modifies; frequently collocated with 'award', 'university', 'position', or 'firm'.

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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.