Words / B2

EM-in-uh-nt/ˈemɪnənt/

Eminent means famous and respected in a field: an eminent historian; eminently qualified (adverb). Imminent means about to happen — a classic spelling trap. Famous is wider and less formal. An eminent statistician queried the sample. Do not call a local celebrity eminent unless the field respects them.

Meaning

Famous and respected within a profession or field.

Examples

• “An eminent statistician queried the sampling frame in a letter.”
• “The collapse is imminent, not eminent, which is the spelling trap.”

Good to know

an eminent + profession. Adverb: eminently. Trap: imminent (soon). Wider: famous. Academic letters and obituaries. Not a TV presenter by default.

Near in meaning

renowned

New