prestige
🇬🇧 /prɛˈstiːʒ/
🇺🇸 /prɛˈstiːʒ/
📖 Definitions
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noun
The respect, admiration, and high reputation that a person, organization, or thing commands based on their achievements, quality, or social standing.; A quality or aura of distinction, excellence, or superiority that inspires admiration and respect.; In linguistics, the social value or status assigned to a particular language variety, dialect, or accent, often influencing language attitudes and choices.; The influence or power derived from a high reputation or esteemed position, often used to sway opinions or decisions.; Illusion or deception, especially as practiced by a magician; a trick or feat that creates a false impression. (Archaic/rare usage, related to the word's etymology from Latin 'praestigiae'.)
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adjective
Denoting something that is associated with high status, exclusivity, or superior quality, often used attributively to describe products, events, or positions.
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noun
In sociology and anthropology, the social honor or esteem accorded to an individual or group within a social hierarchy, often distinct from economic class or political power.
🔗 Details
Word forms
uncountable
Collocations
gain prestigelose prestigeprestige brandprestige projectinternational prestigepersonal prestigeprestige value
Derivatives
prestigiousprestigiouslyprestigiousness
Synonyms
renownesteemstatusreputationstandingeminencecachet
Antonyms
disreputeobscurityinfamy
Commonly confused
prestigious
EN: 'Prestigious' is the adjective form (e.g., 'a prestigious university'); 'prestige' is the noun (e.g., 'the prestige of the institution').
prestidigitation
EN: 'Prestidigitation' means sleight-of-hand magic; 'prestige' means high status or reputation, despite sharing a similar root.
Spelling tips
EN: Remember that the adjective form is 'prestigious' (not 'prestigeous' or 'prestigous'). The noun ends in '-ige', not '-idge'.
💬 Examples
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The university has gained considerable prestige over the past decade due to its groundbreaking research.
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The prestige of the brand allowed it to charge premium prices for its products.
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Received Pronunciation has traditionally been considered the prestige accent in British English.
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The diplomat used his personal prestige to broker a peace agreement between the two nations.
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The conjurer's prestige left the audience bewildered and amazed.
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She was offered a prestige position on the board of directors of the multinational corporation.
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In many traditional societies, prestige is determined by lineage and ceremonial roles rather than wealth.