Prominent

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈpɹɑmɪnənt/

Definitions

1. Standing out noticeably or being widely known and important in a particular field or area
2. Easily identifiable or conspicuous due to its notable presence or influence in a certain context, often regarded as significant or leading in its domain
3. Easily noticeable or recognized due to its importance or visibility in a specific area, often considered a key figure or element within that realm

Etymology: Before it described a person or thing standing out in a crowd, "prominent" meant something quite physical: jutting out. The word comes from Latin "prōminēns," the present participle of "prōmineō," meaning "to jut out, to project." That verb combined "prō," meaning "before" or "forward," with "mineō," a root used in Latin compounds to mean "to jut" or "to project." So the original image is of something literally sticking forward from a surface, like a ledge or a headland. The word reached English through an obsolete French form, "prominent," which the Latin source also gave rise to in the modern French "proéminent." English speakers used it first in the literal sense of protruding parts, and the figurative sense of standing out in importance or reputation developed from that picture of something projecting beyond its surroundings. The modern meaning, of someone or something conspicuous through notable influence, grew naturally from that visual metaphor of being the part that sticks out.

Synonyms: notable, famous, eminent, outstanding, remarkable

Antonyms: insignificant, obscure, unremarkable