ENGLISH
REFERENCE

prominent

adj. · n.
US //ˈpɹɑmənənt// UK //pɹˈɒmɪnənt// prom·i·nent
  1. 1 famous or important (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    important, famous, or well-known by many people.

    widely known, eminent, or distinguished within a particular field or society.

    Example

    She is a prominent lawyer who often appears on the evening news.

    Example

    Several prominent scholars in the field of linguistics signed the open letter protesting the proposed budget cuts to the humanities department.
  2. 2 easy to see (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    very easy to see or notice because of its size or position.

    conspicuous or particularly noticeable due to physical placement or scale.

    Example

    The shop has a prominent sign that you can see from the end of the street.

    Example

    The warning label must be placed in a prominent position on the packaging to ensure it is read before the product is opened.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 sticking out (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    sticking out from a surface.

    projecting or protuberant; physically extending beyond a surface or line.

    Example

    He has a very prominent nose that makes him easy to recognise.

    Example

    The architect designed the building with prominent balconies that cast deep shadows across the glass facade during the afternoon.
  2. 4 a type of moth (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    a type of moth that has a small part sticking out on its wings.

    any of various moths belonging to the family Notodontidae, typically having a tuft of scales on the inner margin of the forewings.

    Example

    The scientist identified the insect as a species of prominent moth.

    Example

    The collection included several rare specimens of the pebble prominent, noted for their remarkable camouflage against the bark of birch trees.

Origin

From obsolete French prominent (compare proéminent), from Latin prōminēns, present active participle of prōmineō (“jut out, to project”), from prō (“before, forward”) + mineō (in compounds, “jut, project”).

Word family

© 2026 English Reference