prestigious

Word family

• prestige
  nounB2
• prestigiously
  adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

While all these words describe people or things that are well known and respected, they differ in scope and emphasis. Famous is the broadest term, simply meaning widely known by many people, whether for good or bad reasons (a famous actor, a famous disaster). Renowned emphasizes being widely acclaimed for a particular skill or achievement (a renowned surgeon). Eminent stresses high standing within a specific field, especially in academic or professional contexts — it is almost always used of people, not institutions (an eminent professor of physics). Celebrated carries a tone of public praise and admiration, often linked to artistic or cultural achievement (a celebrated novelist). Notable is the most neutral, simply meaning worthy of attention or remarkable (a notable achievement). Prestigious, by contrast, specifically conveys that something or someone is admired because of association with success, high quality, or importance — it often describes institutions, awards, or positions rather than personal fame alone. For example: She earned a place at a prestigious university. The renowned chef opened a celebrated restaurant in Paris.

Common collocations

Etymology

From Latin praestigiosus, meaning 'full of tricks' or 'deceptive', related to praestigiae ('juggler's tricks, illusions'). In French, prestige originally carried the sense of 'glamour' or 'dazzling influence' — a kind of magic-like power to impress. The word entered English in the 16th century with the now-archaic meaning of 'illusory, deceptive,' but by the 19th century it had shifted to its modern positive sense: having the earned respect and admiration that comes from high quality or achievement.