illustrious
6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for illustrious, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Widely admired and respected, especially for great achievements.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Antonyms
How to use illustrious
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
illustrious career
illustrious history
illustrious reputation
Etymology
From Latin illustris, "bright, distinguished," from illustrare, "to brighten, make famous."
Full origin of illustrious →Frequently asked questions
What does “illustrious” mean?
The word “illustrious” means widely admired and respected, especially for great achievements. In plain terms, famous and highly respected, usually because of a strong record of achievement.
How do you pronounce “illustrious”?
“Illustrious” is pronounced ih-LUHS-trih-uhs (/ɪˈlʌs.tɹi.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “illustrious” in a sentence?
Here is “illustrious” used in a sentence: “She had an illustrious career spanning four decades in medicine.”
What part of speech is “illustrious”?
“Illustrious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “illustrious” come from?
The word “illustrious” comes from Latin. From Latin illustris, "bright, distinguished," from illustrare, "to brighten, make famous.".
Is “illustrious” a common word?
“Illustrious” is an uncommon word in modern English.
