Eminent

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɛmɪnÉ™nt/

Origin

From Middle French éminent, from Latin present participle eminens, eminentis, from verb ēmineō ("I project, I protrude"), from ex- ("out of, from") + mineō, related to mons (English mount). Compare with imminent. Unrelated to emanate, which is instead from mānō ("I flow").

Full definition of eminent

Adjective

1. (archaic) high, lofty; towering; prominent.
2. noteworthy, remarkable, greatHis eminent good sense has been a godsend to this project.
3. of a person, distinguished, important, noteworthyIn later years, the professor became known as an eminent historian.

Usage notes

Eminent and imminent are very similar sounds, and are weak rhymes; in some dialects, these may be confused. A typo of either word may result in a correction to the wrong word by spellchecking software. Eminent may also be confused with immanent, immanant, or emanate.

Derived terms

• eminence
• eminently
• preeminent

Related terms

• imminent
• prominent