eminent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "eminent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means famous and influential, or standing above others in terms of quality or character. For example: "The eminent scientist was lauded for her impressive achievements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"While I was on board I soon realised that the boot room, where we all changed our clothing and left our shoes, had turned into a scene of social chaos," McEwan said, describing how the eminent scientists, who down the hall were gathering to talk earnestly about the future of the humankind, were also capable of stealing each others' footwear and regarding their colleagues with deep distrust.

The Guardian - Books

"It was terrible," he says, and adds that, on his first essay, an "eminent Oxford historian had written, 'This is a dog's dinner.' There were two ways to go after that, either give up or… " He went on to do a second history degree at Swansea before securing the Bectu job.

The Guardian - Film

But some corroboration comes from eminent author and political analyst Sean Trende, who found the same strong relationship among counties – that is, counties (which provide a much larger dataset) with higher levels of white evangelicals are voting in a lower percentage for Romney.

The Guardian - Opinion

A decade ago, in my first year as lecturer in a humanities department, an eminent professor helped me secure a book contract with a top university press for my recently completed doctoral thesis.

The Guardian

He is regarded as the most eminent criminal psychologist in Britain, the real-life 'Cracker-style' profiler with the nous to worm his way into the mind of the Ipswich murderer.

The Guardian

That Campbell should be ambushed so easily suggests that none of his supporters, who included many of the party's most eminent names, had given much thought to what it was about their man that might appeal to the public.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

A precociously gifted student, Schiele soon attracted the attention of Gustav Klimt, the pre-eminent artist of the Secession movement – an artistic revolution that covered many art forms, all driven by the basic aim of rejecting Beaux-Arts classicism and stuffy Salon mediocrity.

The Guardian - Arts

That centre ground had enabled Germany to emerge pre-eminent in Europe, according to some.

The Guardian

Jeremy Paxman, in a column inside, refers to Sturgeon being "pre-eminent" in the debate.

The Guardian

She's really one of the pre-eminent actors of her generation".

The Guardian

If successful, the march will cement Khan's position as a pre-eminent opponent of the US drone campaign.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eminent" to describe individuals or entities widely recognized and respected for their achievements or qualities. This word is best suited for formal contexts where you want to convey a sense of high standing and importance.

Common error

Avoid using "eminent" in casual or informal settings. The word carries a level of formality and prestige that can seem out of place or even pretentious in everyday conversation or writing. Choose a more appropriate synonym, like "well-known" or "respected", for less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "eminent" is to serve as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe individuals or entities recognized for their exceptional qualities or achievements. Ludwig confirms that the word is correctly used in this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eminent" is an adjective used to describe someone or something famous and respected, particularly within a specific field. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for formal contexts like news reports and professional documents. The word conveys a sense of high standing and achievement. While quite common, it's important to avoid misusing it in informal settings, where synonyms like "well-known" or "respected" might be more suitable. The analysis of usage patterns indicates it is mostly used in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinguished

Emphasizes a record of achievement and recognition in a particular field.

renowned

Highlights widespread fame and respect for accomplishments.

esteemed

Focuses on the high regard and respect held by others.

notable

Indicates worthiness of attention or remembrance.

illustrious

Suggests a shining example due to impressive achievements and fame.

preeminent

Indicates unsurpassed excellence or superiority.

celebrated

Implies widespread acclaim and public recognition.

prominent

Indicates being well-known and important.

respected

Highlights the admiration and high regard held by others.

famous

Focuses on widespread recognition and popularity.

FAQs

How can I use "eminent" in a sentence?

Use "eminent" to describe someone or something that is famous and respected within a particular field. For example, "She is an eminent scholar of Renaissance literature."

What can I say instead of "eminent"?

You can use alternatives like "distinguished", "renowned", or "respected" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "eminent" or "imminent"?

"Eminent" and "imminent" are different words with different meanings. "Eminent" means famous and respected, while "imminent" means about to happen.

What's the difference between "eminent" and "prominent"?

"Eminent" suggests a higher level of achievement and respect compared to "prominent". While both indicate importance, "eminent" implies greater distinction.