eminent
EH-mih-nuhnt
Eminent (adj) means Famous and respected, especially in a particular profession. Example: “An eminent historian was invited to give the keynote speech.”
adj
1
Famous and respected, especially in a particular profession.
"An eminent historian was invited to give the keynote speech."
"She is one of the most eminent scientists of her generation."
"The hospital hired an eminent surgeon to lead its new heart unit."
How to use eminent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWell known and highly respected, usually because of achievement in a field.
Common mistake
Do not confuse with imminent (about to happen) or immanent (existing within) — all three are pronounced similarly but mean very different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
eminent scholar
eminent domain
an eminent figure
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more eminent
- Superlative
- most eminent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
An _____ historian was invited to give the keynote speech.
Etymology
From Latin eminens, present participle of eminere, "to stand out, project," from ex- ("out") plus a root related to mons ("mountain").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for eminent
See all rhymes for eminent →Frequently asked questions
What does “eminent” mean?
The word “eminent” means famous and respected, especially in a particular profession. In plain terms, well known and highly respected, usually because of achievement in a field.
How do you pronounce “eminent”?
“Eminent” is pronounced EH-mih-nuhnt (/ˈɛmɪnənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “eminent” in a sentence?
Here is “eminent” used in a sentence: “An eminent historian was invited to give the keynote speech.”
What part of speech is “eminent”?
“Eminent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “eminent” come from?
The word “eminent” comes from Latin. From Latin eminens, present participle of eminere, "to stand out, project," from ex- ("out") plus a root related to mons ("mountain").
Is “eminent” a common word?
“Eminent” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
What is the difference between eminent and imminent?
Eminent describes a person or thing that is famous and respected, especially in a profession, as in "an eminent scientist." Imminent describes an event that is about to happen very soon, such as "imminent danger." The two words are spelled and pronounced similarly but are unrelated in meaning, so mixing them up is a common error.
What is the difference between eminent and prominent?
Eminent focuses on a person's high standing, reputation, and respect within a field. Prominent is broader and can describe anything conspicuous or noticeable, whether a person, a landmark, or a feature, without necessarily implying the same level of professional distinction. An eminent surgeon is respected for expertise, while a prominent building simply stands out visually.
What kind of noun typically follows eminent?
Eminent usually modifies nouns referring to people and their professional roles, such as "eminent professor," "eminent lawyer," or "eminent historian." It signals that the person is widely recognized and respected within that specific field.
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