Prominence: Definition, Usage & Key Examples

Meaning 1：importance or fame (prominence)

prominence 🔊

/ˈprɒmɪnəns/

When someone or something is very important, famous, or easy to notice because it stands out from others.

Prominence illustrated by a person standing confidently in a spotlight on a dark stage, symbolizing fame and importance.

importance or fame 🔊

➕

/ɪmˈpɔːrtns ɔːr feɪm/

The state or quality of being widely known, important, or conspicuous; standing out from others.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'prominentia', from 'pro-' (forward) + 'minere' (to project), meaning "the state of jutting out".

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a prominent PROMontory: a high piece of land that stands out prominently into the sea.

📖 Example

After winning the national science competition, the student gained prominence among her peers and teachers. 🔊 Following her victory in the national science contest, the student rose to importance and became well-known among her classmates and instructors.

🔗 Collocations

gain prominence – to become important or famous

achieve prominence – to reach a state of importance or fame through effort

rise to prominence – to gradually become important or well-known

🔄 Synonyms

fame (n.) – the state of being known by many people

importance (n.) – the quality of being significant or having great value

distinction (n.) – excellence that sets someone or something apart

🚫 Antonyms

obscurity (n.) – the state of being unknown or unnoticed

insignificance (n.) – the quality of being unimportant or trivial

🌱 Derivatives

prominent (adj.) – standing out; projecting; important or famous

📖 Cultural Story

In astronomy, a 'solar prominence' is a massive, bright feature extending from the Sun's surface, vividly illustrating the word's core idea of standing out against a background.