lexicow

eminent

/ˈɛmɪnənt//ˈɛmɪnənt/·adjective
A grand concert hall, and one maestro on the podium. A warm spotlight climbs the floor and crowns only him; the orchestra and the packed house, turned his way, shrink small and dim around him. Applause comes in like a tide, a faint laurel glows at his head, and he takes the smallest bow and holds there in the gold. Nothing is about to happen and nothing needs to — the whole room exists to lift up this one person, the figure everyone has come to honour.
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Definition

Eminent describes a person who stands out above others in reputation — from the Latin eminere, 'to project, to stand out'. An eminent scholar, an eminent surgeon, the most eminent figure in a field: the word is kept for people and the distinction they have earned. It is endlessly confused with two look-alikes — imminent (about to happen) and immanent (inherent, indwelling) — but only eminent is about standing tall in the eyes of others.

Examples

  • An eminent historian was invited to open the conference.
  • She became one of the most eminent and adept surgeons of her generation.
  • His eminent reputation filled the lecture hall long before he spoke.

Collocations

an eminent scholar·eminent figure·highly eminent·an eminent authority·eminent domain

Synonyms

distinguished·prominent·renowned·illustrious·esteemed

Antonyms

obscure·unknown·lowly

See also

Word family

eminence (noun)·eminently (adverb)

In TOEFL & IELTS

Reserved for distinguished people ('an eminent professor'), and note the fixed legal phrase 'eminent domain'. The exam trap is the trio eminent (distinguished), imminent (about to happen), and immanent (inherent) — all stressed on the first syllable, so spelling, not sound, is the tell. 'Eminently' as an adverb means 'very' ('eminently reasonable').