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.
"Chinese dignitaries traveled with us from place to place, and when ready to depart from Urumchi, or Tihwa, we were introduced to the high officials who were going along in the plane."
— Henry A. Wallace, Andrew Jacob Steiger (1948)
"Several foreign dignitaries attended the state funeral."
How to use dignitary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn important, high-ranking official or public figure.
Common pairings
visiting dignitary
foreign dignitary
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Word forms
- Plural
- dignitaries
Etymology
Borrowed from French dignitaire.
Synonyms
View more →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.
