VIP
8 synonyms and 1 antonyms for VIP, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who is given special treatment, privileged access or extra security because of their fame, wealth, rank or importance to an event.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A person who is given special treatment, privileged access or extra security because of their fame, wealth, rank or importance to an event.
“The band's manager met us backstage and waved us through as VIPs.”
Opposites
How to use VIP
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral in general use; in ticketing and nightlife it is a marketing label rather than a real measure of status. Written in capitals, pluralised as VIPs.
Etymology
An initialism of very important person.
Full origin of VIP →Frequently asked questions
What does VIP stand for?
Very important person. It began as a way of marking guests who needed special handling and is now used for anyone given upgraded access or service.
What is the difference between a VIP and an MVP?
A VIP is important because of who they are — their fame, rank or spending. An MVP is a most valuable player, someone singled out for what they did, usually in sport or on a team project.
Is VIP written with capital letters?
Yes. It is an initialism, so all three letters are capitalised, and the plural is VIPs with no apostrophe.