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Eminent: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Eminent adjective. Famous and respected within a particular field.
How to say it
EM-ih-nunt/ˈɛmɪnənt/
3 syllables, stressed on the first (EM).
Eminent in a sentence
An eminent surgeon flew in to perform the operation.
The panel included two eminent historians.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- distinguished
- renowned
- prominent
- illustrious
Opposite:
- unknown
- obscure
Usage note
Eminent means distinguished; imminent means about to happen. Remember: an imminent storm is coming in. 'Eminent domain' is a legal term; 'imminent domain' is a slip.
Don’t confuse with imminent
imminent (adjective): About to happen very soon.
Where eminent comes from
From Latin eminere, to stand out or project.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The panel included two _____ historians.
- principal
- discrete
- eminent
Show the answer
eminent: The panel included two eminent historians.