illustrious career

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illustrious career" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's successful or notable job history. For example, "Rosa has had an illustrious career as a doctor, having worked in four countries and received numerous awards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Diana Athill reflects on an illustrious career.

The New Yorker

Dr. Nelson had a long, illustrious career as a pediatrician.

The New York Times

Newt Gingrich and his illustrious career as a book reviewer?

The New Yorker

Shevchenko's finish recalled more prolific times in his illustrious career.

The Guardian - Sport

You want to believe she'll have an illustrious career.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A long and illustrious career in serious theatre.

The Guardian

It has been an illustrious career, and the attacker is going out on a high note.

The New York Times

Mr. Feld, who was born in Brooklyn, had an illustrious career as a dancer himself.

The New York Times - Arts

He returned to an executive position with Macy's and an illustrious career in retailing.

The New York Times

Bob went on to enjoy an illustrious career of over 50 years specializing in admiralty law.

The New York Times

Mr. Steiner had an illustrious career in the chemical and plastics industry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "illustrious career" to describe individuals who have achieved significant recognition and respect in their field. It implies a long-standing history of success and positive impact.

Common error

Avoid using "illustrious career" to describe someone with a relatively short or unremarkable work history. It can sound exaggerated and insincere if applied inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illustrious career" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "illustrious" modifies "career" to denote a highly successful and respected professional path. Ludwig AI confirms its proper and frequent usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "illustrious career" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a professional life marked by success, recognition, and respect. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across diverse contexts. It's particularly common in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "distinguished career" and "remarkable career" exist, "illustrious career" carries a specific weight of admiration and historical achievement. When using the term, ensure it aligns with the individual's actual accomplishments to avoid exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinguished career

Emphasizes the high level of respect and recognition achieved in the career.

remarkable career

Highlights the unusual or noteworthy nature of the career's achievements.

celebrated career

Focuses on the public acknowledgment and praise received throughout the career.

notable career

Stresses the significance and memorability of the career's accomplishments.

successful career

A more general term indicating positive outcomes and achievement in a career.

prominent career

Highlights the visibility and influence the person had in their professional field.

brilliant career

Emphasizes the high level of intelligence and skill demonstrated throughout the career.

esteemed career

Focuses on the high regard and respect held for the person throughout their career.

outstanding career

Highlights the exceptional quality and impact of the career's achievements.

renowned career

Indicates that the person is widely known and respected for their professional accomplishments.

FAQs

How can I use "illustrious career" in a sentence?

You can use "illustrious career" to describe someone's successful and notable job history. For instance: "She has had an "illustrious career" as a scientist, publishing numerous groundbreaking papers."

What are some alternatives to "illustrious career"?

Alternatives include "distinguished career", "remarkable career", or "celebrated career", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "illustrious career" for someone just starting out?

No, "illustrious career" is best reserved for individuals with a substantial and recognized history of achievement. For someone new to their field, consider using terms like "promising future" or "developing talent".

What distinguishes an "illustrious career" from simply a "successful career"?

While both terms denote positive outcomes, "illustrious career" implies a higher degree of recognition, respect, and often a longer duration of notable achievement compared to simply a "successful career".