adjective
Very common
established
ih-STAB-lihsht
Established (adjective) means Widely recognized and accepted because it has existed for a long time. Example: “The cafe is an established favourite among local families and has been open for decades.”
adjective
1
Widely recognized and accepted because it has existed for a long time.
"The cafe is an established favourite among local families and has been open for decades."
"She works for an established law firm with a strong reputation."
"It's an established fact that smoking harms your lungs."
2
Officially recognized by the state, especially referring to a religion or church.
"In some countries the established church receives support and recognition from the government."
"Bishops of the established church sometimes sit in the upper house of parliament."
"The Church of England is the established church in England."
How to use established
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAlready set up, trusted, and accepted — not new or unproven.
Common pairings
an established brand
well established
established practice
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more established
- Superlative
- most established
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The cafe is an _____ favourite among local families and has been open for decades.
Etymology
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
Synonyms
View more →
recognized
well-known
long-standing
accepted
entrenched
reputable
settled
proven
conventional
accomplished
constituted
estd.
Antonyms
unestablished
Related words
Rhymes for established
fished
famished
vanished
polished
punished
finished
banished
cherished
furnished
published
nourished
anguished
See all rhymes for established →
Frequently asked questions
What does “established” mean?
The word “established” means widely recognized and accepted because it has existed for a long time. In plain terms, already set up, trusted, and accepted — not new or unproven.
How do you pronounce “established”?
“Established” is pronounced ih-STAB-lihsht (/ɪˈstæb.lɪʃt/ in IPA).
How do you use “established” in a sentence?
Here is “established” used in a sentence: “She works for an established law firm with a strong reputation.”
What is another word for “established”?
Words with a similar meaning to “established” include estd..
What part of speech is “established”?
“Established” is an adjective.
Is “established” a common word?
“Established” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “established” have?
“Established” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: widely recognized and accepted because it has existed for a long time.
What is the difference between established and new?
Established describes something that has existed for a long time and is widely recognized and trusted, such as an established company or tradition. New is its opposite: recently created and not yet proven or well known. Calling something established implies stability and a track record, which a new thing has not had time to build.
What does it mean for a business to be established?
An established business is one that has been trading for a considerable time and has built a solid reputation, loyal customers, and a recognized name. The word suggests reliability and staying power, as opposed to a start-up still finding its feet. Lenders and partners often prefer established firms for exactly this reason.
Is 'established' a positive word?
Usually, yes. Describing a person, brand, or idea as established signals credibility, permanence, and acceptance — qualities most people value. Occasionally it carries a slightly negative edge, hinting that something is set in its ways or resistant to change, but in most contexts it is a compliment implying trust and proven success.
What is the opposite of established?
Common opposites include new, emerging, and up-and-coming, which describe things that are recent and still unproven. Words like fledgling, budding, and untested also work when stressing a lack of track record. In business, an established company contrasts with a start-up or newcomer that has yet to earn recognition.
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