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eminent

/ˈɛmɪnənt//ˈɛmɪnənt/·adjective
famous and respected; distinguished
Fig. 1 — A grand concert hall, and one maestro on the podium.
01Definition

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.

02In use
  • iAn eminent historian was invited to open the conference with a homage to its founder.
  • iiShe became one of the most eminent and adept surgeons of her generation.
  • iiiHis eminent reputation filled the lecture hall long before he spoke.
03Collocations
  • an eminent scholar
  • eminent figure
  • highly eminent
  • an eminent authority
  • eminent domain

Family eminence (noun) · eminently (adverb)

04Relations

=distinguished, prominent, renowned, illustrious, esteemed

≠obscure, unknown, lowly

05Compared
PairThe difference
eminent vs imminentan Eminent person has Earned standing; an Imminent event is about to land.
06TOEFL & 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').

07Asked
What is eminent domain?
The power of a government to take private property for public use — a road, a school, a pipeline — even without the owner's consent, provided it pays fair compensation. 'Eminent' here means overriding, superior. Watch the spelling: the common error 'imminent domain' would mean, absurdly, a domain about to happen.
Where does 'immanent' fit alongside eminent and imminent?
It is the rare third of the trio. Immanent means inherent, indwelling — present throughout something — and lives mostly in philosophy and theology ('an immanent divine presence'). So: eminent = distinguished, imminent = about to happen, immanent = inherent. The eminent/imminent split has its own page in the 'Compared' list above.
What does 'pre-eminent' mean?
The most eminent of all — first-ranked, standing above even the other distinguished ones. 'The pre-eminent authority on the subject' means no one outranks them. It simply adds the Latin pre-, 'before', to eminent: not just prominent, but foremost. The noun is pre-eminence.
What does 'eminently' mean?
It means 'very' or 'to a notable degree', and it attaches almost only to favourable qualities: eminently reasonable, eminently qualified, eminently suitable. You would not say 'eminently foolish'. The adverb carries the parent word's flavour of standing out, so it intensifies praise rather than criticism.
Is 'eminent' a compliment?
Yes — it is honourable distinction, earned respect. That sets it apart from notorious (famous for something bad) and even from prominent, which only means widely noticed. An eminent scientist is admired; a notorious one is infamous. The scene above is eminence itself — a spotlight crowning one maestro while the whole hall shrinks to honour him.
What is the difference between eminent and prominent?
Prominent means standing out, noticeable — a prominent nose, a prominent role — with no verdict on merit. Eminent means standing out for achievement and earning esteem by it. A prominent figure is simply visible; an eminent one is respected. You can be prominent for the wrong reasons, but never eminent for them.