illustrious
ih-LUS-tree-uhs
/ɪˈlʌstriəs/
Well-known, highly respected, and admired for past achievements and noble character.
Illustrious is a grand, dignified word. It is reserved for people with long, brilliant careers of high historical or cultural significance.
The story behind the word. Illustrious shares its roots with 'illustrate' and 'luster' (shine). It comes from the Latin 'illustris', which literally meant 'bright, clear, or illuminated.' An illustrious person is someone who is so brilliant in their achievements that they seem to cast a warm, glowing light on everyone around them.
Word relationships
- distinguished: Distinguished means marked by conspicuous excellence, but illustrious has a more poetic, shining quality of fame.
- eminent: Eminent means prominent and outstanding in a specific professional field, while illustrious has a broader, grander historical weight.
- unremarkable: Unremarkable means common, ordinary, and not worthy of notice.
- ignoble: Ignoble means of low character, mean, or dishonorable.
Commonly confused with
- industrious: Industrious means hard-working and diligent; illustrious means famous and highly respected.
Word family
- illustriously (adverb): In a distinguished or brilliant manner.
- illustriousness (noun): The quality of being illustrious.
Collocations
- illustrious career
- illustrious history
- illustrious ancestors
- illustrious company
Example sentences
- "We are honored to welcome our illustrious guest, who has spent forty years defending human rights." Introducing a distinguished guest
- "She was born into an illustrious family of scientists, writers, and statesmen." Describing a family history
Memory hook
Think of someone who is 'illustrated' in history books with a glowing halo because of their great deeds. Luster (shine) + us = we are shining bright.
When not to use
Do not use illustrious for modern, short-lived celebrities or influencers; it requires a track record of genuine, dignified success.
Fun facts
- In the late Roman Empire, 'Illustris' was an official title of high nobility, reserved only for the highest-ranking senators and magistrates.
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