Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words (original) (raw)

illustrious

adjective

1. highly distinguished; renowned; famous:
   an illustrious leader.
   Synonyms: famed, eminent, celebrated
2. glorious, as deeds or works:
   many illustrious achievements.
3. Obsolete. luminous; bright.

/ ɪˈlʌstrɪəs /

adjective

1. of great renown; famous and distinguished
2. illustrious deeds
3. obsolete.

Discover More

Derived Forms

• ilˈlustriously, adverb
• ilˈlustriousness, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

• il·lustri·ous·ly adverb
• il·lustri·ous·ness noun
• unil·lustri·ous adjective
• unil·lustri·ous·ly adverb
• unil·lustri·ous·ness noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of illustrious1

1560–70;

< Latin illustri ( s ) bright, clear, famous (equivalent to illustr ( āre ) to brighten ( il- 1,

luster 1

) + -is adj. suffix) + -ous

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of illustrious1

C16: from Latin illustris bright, distinguished, famous, from illustrāre to make light; see

illustrate

Discover More

Example Sentences

We discussed his illustrious culinary journey, his deep love for fashion and his favorite Diwali dishes.

And they’ve got plenty of illustrious, tragic company — the most recent example being actor Chance Perdomo, who died in a motorcycle crash in March.

Anderson, now 68, retired in the mid 1990s after an illustrious career, which also included playing for Arsenal, Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Manchester United - where he was Sir Alex Ferguson's first signing.

The Sri Lanka great kept wicket until the end and finished his illustrious ODI career with four centuries in his last five matches.

Capes had an illustrious career, twice winning shot put gold at the Commonwealth Games and the European Indoor Championships.