prominent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "prominent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is important, well-known, or noticeable. For example: "The singer was a prominent figure in the city's music scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Film

TV & Radio

Tech

Travel

Music

Money

Business

Lifestyle

Books

Society

Politics

Education

World

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over the next two years, several prominent opposition figures were murdered in mysterious circumstances.

The Guardian

One of the company's leading lines, Casillero del Diablo, takes its name from the tale, although it seems unlikely that a 19th-century mining magnate and prominent politician would really have spent his evenings lurking in dank corners wearing fancy dress.

The Guardian - Travel

A video tweeted out by activist Deray McKesson – a Baltimore native who was a prominent figure and organiser at the Ferguson protests last August following the death of the unarmed black teenager Michael Brown – showed police officers trying to reason with the assembled crowd at Hampden.

The Guardian

In the final, too many of Celtic's prominent players failed to perform.

The Guardian - Sport

The England Under-21 defender was making his first start at Goodison following his full debut at West Ham United and despite that almost costly slip, he produced a prominent, assured outing from left-back.

The Guardian - Sport

The new rules for registration have caused uproar in the party, with rumours that prominent activists had been refused accreditation.

The Guardian - Opinion

One prominent figure on trial is businessman Oswald Lutepo, a senior official in Banda's party, who is accused of theft and money laundering and is alleged to have pocketed more than $6m from government coffers through ghost companies that did not provide any services to the state.

The Guardian

Jake Stringer was the Bulldogs' most prominent attacker, missing several chances but finishing with 3.3.

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't think this will be the last time you'll see prominent western actors and filmmakers involved in Asian productions," says Justin Chang.

The Guardian - Film

Each prominent character has been given meaty storylines to gorge on, and while some haven't panned out quite as well as others (Jimmy's sideline as a sex worker was introduced and wisely dropped, as was an ill-advised plot-strand about drug-induced rape), the web of intrigue that's been constructed so far doesn't have any major weaknesses in it at all.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"There is a risk that an all-or-nothing approach and the highlighting of dubious cases to prominent news outlets and journalists will preclude legitimate claims from being fairly treated.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prominent" to describe a physical feature, ensure it is genuinely projecting or standing out. For abstract concepts, confirm it truly holds a position of importance or influence.

Common error

Avoid using "prominent" as a generic descriptor; instead, opt for more specific adjectives that accurately convey the characteristic you wish to emphasize.

Linguistic Context

The word "prominent" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something is important, well-known, or easily noticeable. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples from varied sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Film

3%

TV & Radio

2%

Tech

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prominent" functions as an adjective to denote importance, visibility, or distinction. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. When using "prominent", ensure that the context aligns with its core meaning of standing out or being significant. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives like "distinguished", "eminent", or "conspicuous" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eminent

Implies high reputation and respect within a particular field or profession.

distinguished

Focuses on excellence and recognition for outstanding qualities.

outstanding

Indicates superiority and standing out from others in a positive way.

conspicuous

Highlights the quality of being easily seen or noticed, often in a way that attracts attention.

leading

Suggests a position of authority or influence.

noticeable

Emphasizes visibility and ease of being observed.

remarkable

Highlights the unusual or noteworthy quality of something.

significant

Highlights the importance or impact of something.

important

Stresses the significance or value of someone or something.

well-known

Focuses on widespread recognition and familiarity.

FAQs

How can I use "prominent" in a sentence?

"Prominent" is used to describe something or someone that is important, well-known, or easily noticeable. For example, "She is a "prominent figure" in the community".

What can I say instead of "prominent"?

You can use alternatives like "distinguished", "eminent", or "conspicuous", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "prominent" or "importance"?

"Prominent" is an adjective describing something noticeable or important, while "importance" is a noun referring to the state or quality of being significant. The correct choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence.

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

"Prominent" implies importance or being well-known within a specific context, while "famous" suggests widespread recognition and popularity.