Words / C2

i-LUSTR-ee-uh-s/ɪˈlʌstriəs/

Illustrious means famous and highly respected for achievement (formal): an illustrious career, an illustrious predecessor. Famous is everyday and can be cheap; distinguished is a close twin. Infamous (already in the dictionary) is famous for the wrong reason — the classic trap. Do not call a well-branded keynote illustrious when the n is empty.

Meaning

Famous and highly respected for achievement (formal).

Examples

• “An illustrious keynote does not excuse an empty n.”
• “Famous is everyday. Distinguished is close. Infamous is notorious (already in C1). Illustrious names still owe a methods sentence. A logo is not a laureate.”

Good to know

Famous and highly respected. Everyday: famous. Close: distinguished. Contrast: infamous (famous for harm). A name is not a sample size.

Near in meaning

distinguished

New