eminence
gb/ˈɛmənəns/ us/ˈɛmənəns/
C1
English
~ 7200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
state
1
high status, fame, or importance
The state of being very important and well known, especially in one area of work or study.
Usage pattern:
to achieve/gain/attain eminence in [a field]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "eminence" with "imminence". "Eminence" means high status or fame, while "imminence" means something is going to happen very soon. Another mistake is using it as a countable noun in this sense (e.g. *"an eminence" meaning "a fame"); here it is usually uncountable: "to achieve eminence".
Synonyms
prominence (Very close in meaning; commonly used in both formal and neutral styles, while "eminence" is more formal.)
|
distinction (Emphasizes being different in a good way; slightly broader and more common than "eminence".)
|
prestige (Focuses more on the respect and admiration received rather than on rank itself.)
Antonyms
obscurity (Describes a state of being unknown or not important, the opposite of having eminence.)
|
insignificance (Stresses lack of importance or influence, which contrasts with high status or fame.)
Collocations
achieve eminence
|rise to eminence
|of great eminence
|eminence in [a field]
|intellectual eminence
|artistic eminence
Themes
status
|society
|work
|academia
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She achieved international eminence in the field of cancer research.
- The prize is awarded only to writers of the highest eminence.
- His political eminence grew rapidly after the televised debates.
- Few artists have risen to such eminence during their lifetimes.
- Academic eminence does not always guarantee good teaching skills.
Learner examples
- She gained eminence as a doctor.
- The school is known for its scientific eminence.
- After many years of hard work, he rose to eminence in his company.
- Her eminence in music came after a famous concert.
Noun
formal
C2
entity
2
a very important, respected person
A very important and respected person in a certain area of work, study, or public life.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an eminence in [a field]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense and apply it to any important person. In modern English, calling someone "an eminence" is quite formal and often sounds literary; in everyday speech, words like "expert", "leader", or "big name" are more common.
Synonyms
luminary (A formal word for a very famous and admired person in a particular area; slightly more common than this sense of "eminence".)
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leading figure (A neutral phrase that clearly shows importance but sounds less formal than "eminence".)
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notable (Suggests someone worth noticing or remembering; can imply importance but is weaker than "eminence".)
Antonyms
nobody (Informal term for a person with no importance or influence, opposite to a person of great eminence.)
|
nonentity (Formal word for an unimportant or insignificant person, contrasting with an eminent figure.)
Collocations
an eminence in [a field]
|legal eminence
|scientific eminence
|literary eminence
|a leading eminence
Themes
status
|society
|academia
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She is an acknowledged eminence in international law.
- Several medical eminences attended the conference to discuss the new treatment.
- As an eminence in classical music, he is often asked to judge international competitions.
- The committee consulted various academic eminences before drafting the report.
Learner examples
- She is an eminence in modern art.
- He became a legal eminence after many famous cases.
- They invited several scientific eminences to the meeting.
- Everyone in the field knows that professor; he is an eminence in physics.
Noun
formal
C2
entity
3
honorific title for a cardinal
A very polite and formal title used when talking to or about a Roman Catholic cardinal.
Usage pattern:
His/Your Eminence [statement]
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use "Eminence" as a title for any important person. In modern usage, this title is almost only for Roman Catholic cardinals. For other clergy or officials, different titles are used (for example, "Your Excellency", "Your Grace").
Synonyms
honorific (A general term for any respectful title; it does not specifically mean the title for a cardinal like "Eminence" does.)
Antonyms
Mr. (A simple, everyday form of address for a man, contrasting with the very formal and specific title "Eminence" used for cardinals.)
Collocations
His Eminence
|Your Eminence
|Cardinal [Name], Your Eminence
Themes
religion
|titles
|communication
Examples
- His Eminence will lead the ceremony at the cathedral.
- The letter was formally addressed to His Eminence, Cardinal Rossi.
- "Your Eminence," she began, "thank you for agreeing to meet with us."
- Several bishops and His Eminence the Cardinal attended the synod.
Learner examples
- Your Eminence, may I ask a question?
- The guests waited for His Eminence to enter the church.
- They wrote a letter to His Eminence, Cardinal Lee.
Noun
technical
C2
entity
4
a small raised area or hill
A small raised part of a surface. It can be a low hill on the land, or a part of a bone that sticks out slightly.
Usage pattern:
on an eminence overlooking [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners might assume this sense is common in everyday speech. In modern English, "hill" or "bump" are far more frequent in general use; "eminence" in this sense appears mainly in technical, medical, or formal written contexts.
Synonyms
elevation (General word for something raised above the surrounding area; more common in everyday geography than "eminence".)
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projection (Technical word for something that sticks out; used especially in anatomy, similar to the anatomical use of "eminence".)
Antonyms
depression (In geography and anatomy, a sunken or lower area, opposite to a raised eminence.)
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hollow (A low or sunken place in a surface, contrasting with a raised part or hill.)
Collocations
bony eminence
|osseous eminence
|rocky eminence
|on an eminence
Themes
geography
|medicine
|nature
|body
Examples
- The castle was built on a rocky eminence above the river.
- The surgeon noted a small bony eminence near the joint.
- From the grassy eminence, we could see the whole valley spread out below us.
Learner examples
- The town sits on a small eminence above the sea.
- The doctor felt a hard bony eminence on the patient’s knee.
- They climbed to an eminence and looked down at the city.
Grammar
Dictionary form
eminence
IPA
GB/ˈɛmənəns/
US/ˈɛmənəns/
Syllables & stress
em - in - ence (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (em)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: eminence
- Plural: eminence, eminences
Word family
Forms
eminences
noun
Advanced or less common
Expressions
eminence grise
1/ˈɛmənəns ɡɹˈaɪz/
idiom
formal
powerful hidden advisor
A person who has a lot of power and influence but works quietly in the background and is not the public leader.
Examples
- Many saw him as the eminence grise behind the president’s economic policy.
- Although she rarely spoke in public, insiders knew she was the true eminence grise of the company.
- The minister is widely viewed as the prime minister’s eminence grise on foreign affairs.
His Eminence
1/hˈɪz ˈɛmənəns/
fixed phrase
formal
third-person title for a cardinal
A very polite and formal way to talk about a male Roman Catholic cardinal, used before or instead of his name.
Examples
- His Eminence will celebrate Mass at the cathedral on Sunday.
- The announcement stated that His Eminence, Cardinal Ortega, had arrived in Rome.
- Reporters waited outside the residence of His Eminence for a statement.
Your Eminence
1/jˈʊɹ ˈɛmənəns/
fixed phrase
formal
direct address to a cardinal
A very polite and formal way to speak directly to a Roman Catholic cardinal.
Examples
- "Your Eminence, we are honored by your visit," the mayor said.
- If you have any questions, please address them to Your Eminence at the end of the meeting.
- "Thank you, Your Eminence," the ambassador replied with a bow.