Adjacent Words

Illustrious definitions

	Tweet

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

ILLUS'TRIOUS, a. [L. illustris.]
1. Conspicuous; distinguished by the reputation of greatness; renowned; eminent; as an illustrious general or magistrate; an illustrious prince.
2. Conspicuous; renowned; conferring honor; as illustrious actions.
3. Glorious; as an illustrious display of the divine perfections.
4. A title of honor.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: widely known and esteemed; "a famous actor"; "a celebrated musician"; "a famed scientist"; "an illustrious judge"; "a notable historian"; "a renowned painter" [syn: celebrated, famed, far-famed, famous, illustrious, notable, noted, renowned]
2: having or conferring glory; "an illustrious achievement"

Merriam Webster's

adjective Etymology: Latin illustris, probably from illustrare Date: 1588 1. notably or brilliantly outstanding because of dignity or achievements or actions ; eminent 2. archaic a. shining brightly with light b. clearly evident Synonyms: see famous • illustriously adverb • illustriousness noun

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. distinguished, renowned. Derivatives: illustriously adv. illustriousness n. Etymology: L illustris (as ILLUSTRATE)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Illustrious Il*lus"tri*ous, a. [L. illustris, prob. for illuxtris; fr. il- in + the root of lucidus bright: cf. F. illustre. See Lucid.] 1. Possessing luster or brightness; brilliant; luminous; splendid. Quench the light; thine eyes are guides illustrious. --Beau. & Fl. 2. Characterized by greatness, nobleness, etc.; eminent; conspicuous; distinguished. Illustrious earls, renowened everywhere. --Drayton. 3. Conferring luster or honor; renowned; as, illustrious deeds or titles. Syn: Distinguished; famous; remarkable; brilliant; conspicuous; noted; celebrated; signal; renowened; eminent; exalted; noble; glorious. See Distinguished, Famous.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

If you describe someone as an illustrious person, you mean that they are extremely well known because they have a high position in society or they have done something impressive. ...his long and illustrious career. = distinguished ADJ: usu ADJ n

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

a. 1. Glorious, splendid, brilliant, bright, radiant. 2. Famous, famed, noted, distinguished, renowned, celebrated, conspicuous, eminent, signal, remarkable.

Moby Thesaurus

acclaimed, bright, brilliant, celebrated, charismatic, conspicuous, distinguished, eminent, esteemed, famed, famous, glamorous, glorious, great, honored, important, lofty, lustrous, magic, notable, noted, numinous, outstanding, prominent, radiant, renowned, respected, resplendent, shining, signal, splendent, splendid, splendorous, splendrous, striking, sublime, venerable, well-known