eminent

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.

“Eminent” is pronounced EH-mih-nuhnt (/ˈɛmɪnənt/ in IPA).

Here is “eminent” used in a sentence: “An eminent historian was invited to give the keynote speech.”

“Eminent” is an adjective.

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").

“Eminent” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

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.

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.

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.