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noun

dignitary

DIHG-niht-ree

Dignitary (noun) means a person of high rank, office, or importance. Example: “Several foreign dignitaries attended the state funeral.”

noun
1
A person of high rank, office, or importance.
"Several foreign dignitaries attended the state funeral."

How to use dignitary

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn important, high-ranking official or public figure.

Common pairings
visiting dignitary foreign dignitary

Word forms

dignitaries plural

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Etymology

Borrowed from French dignitaire.

Origin: French

VIP high-up panjandrum high muckamuck very important person

Related words

Rhymes for dignitary

See all rhymes for dignitary →

Frequently asked questions

What does “dignitary” mean?

The word “dignitary” means a person of high rank, office, or importance. In plain terms, an important, high-ranking official or public figure.

How do you pronounce “dignitary”?

“Dignitary” is pronounced DIHG-niht-ree (/ˈdɪɡnɪtɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “dignitary” in a sentence?

Here is “dignitary” used in a sentence: “Several foreign dignitaries attended the state funeral.”

What part of speech is “dignitary”?

“Dignitary” is a noun.

Where does the word “dignitary” come from?

The word “dignitary” comes from French. Borrowed from French dignitaire.

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