illustrious department

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illustrious department" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a department that is highly respected, renowned, or distinguished in its field. Example: "The university's illustrious department of physics has produced several Nobel laureates over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

\"Nick came to the Morningside campus in 1997 to chair and rebuild the University's illustrious department of Anthropology.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mary* is a 72-year-old sociology professor with significant scholarship credentials, several teaching awards, and an illustrious record, including three stints as department chair.

Harvard Business Review

But when the story got filtered through the editorial departments of America's illustrious right-wing news publications, the takeaway was that the yearbook note was "forged," and Moore was vindicated.

Vice

It goes without saying that he became one of our most illustrious colleagues," said Paul Bartlett, chairman of the UC Berkeley chemistry department.

University of California, Berkeley

Our colleagues in the opinion department of the International Herald Tribune — and some very illustrious guests — look ahead to 2013, and find that even if great storms are rising, they are no reason to be forlorn.

The New York Times

He was a tremendously talented actor and a wonderful man". Paxton's family said in a statement: "A loving husband and father, Bill began his career in Hollywood working on films in the art department and went on to have an illustrious career spanning four decades as a beloved and prolific actor and filmmaker.

BBC

"A loving husband and father, Bill began his career in Hollywood working on films in the art department and went on to have an illustrious career spanning four decades as a beloved and prolific actor and filmmaker," read the statement, in part.

Los Angeles Times

Advance notice of his talent spread not through P.R. departments but in awestruck reports from such illustrious colleagues as Claudio Abbado and Simon Rattle, who encountered him on visits to Venezuela.

The New Yorker

DeVane was lost to the English department in 1938, however, when he became one of the most illustrious Deans in the history of Yale College, a post he held until 1963.

Yale University

A new study, "MIT's Rise to Prominence," by economic historian Andrej Svorencik of the Univedersity of Mannheim in Germany, looks at how MIT's tight, illustrious alumni network has helped its graduates catch and surpass other powerhouse economics departments.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Prof Hawking himself was too unwell to attend on Thursday but Peter Haynes, head of the department of applied mathematics and theoretical physics at the University of Cambridge, warned the illustrious attendees to be on their best behaviour because "Stephen was watching online".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "illustrious department", ensure the department genuinely possesses a distinguished reputation supported by evidence of its achievements and contributions to its field.

Common error

Avoid using "illustrious department" to describe a newly formed or unremarkable department. The term implies a long-standing record of excellence and significant achievements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illustrious department" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where the adjective "illustrious" modifies and enhances the meaning of the noun "department". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and grammatically correct in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "illustrious department" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a highly reputable and accomplished department, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not frequently used, its presence in academic and news contexts suggests a formal and professional register. Alternative phrases, such as "esteemed department" or "renowned department", offer similar meanings. When employing "illustrious department", ensure the described department merits the distinction through demonstrable achievements and a strong reputation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

esteemed department

Replaces "illustrious" with "esteemed", conveying a similar sense of respect and high regard.

renowned department

Substitutes "illustrious" with "renowned", emphasizing the department's widespread fame and recognition.

distinguished department

Replaces "illustrious" with "distinguished", highlighting the department's excellence and eminence.

preeminent department

Uses "preeminent" instead of "illustrious", suggesting the department is superior or outstanding compared to others.

celebrated department

Replaces "illustrious" with "celebrated", indicating the department is widely praised and admired.

acclaimed department

Substitutes "illustrious" with "acclaimed", emphasizing that the department has received public approval and praise.

prestigious department

Replaces "illustrious" with "prestigious", indicating the department is highly respected and admired for its status.

venerable department

Substitutes "illustrious" with "venerable", conveying a sense of age, respect, and historical significance.

respected department

Replaces "illustrious" with "respected", a more general term indicating the department is held in high esteem.

notable department

Substitutes "illustrious" with "notable", indicating the department is worthy of attention and recognition.

FAQs

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

You can use "illustrious department" to describe a department with a long history of success and recognition. For example, "The university's "illustrious department" of history has produced many renowned scholars".

What is a good alternative to "illustrious department"?

Alternatives to "illustrious department" include "renowned department", "distinguished department", or "esteemed department". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "illustrious department" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "illustrious department" is more suitable for formal or academic writing. In informal contexts, simpler terms like "well-known department" or "highly-regarded department" might be more appropriate.

What qualities make a department "illustrious"?

An "illustrious department" typically has a long history of excellence, produces significant research or creative work, attracts top faculty and students, and is widely recognized for its contributions to its field.