Prominent

Prominent

Adjective · /ˈprɒmɪnənt/ · standing out so as to be easily seen; famous or important

Definition

Prominent means sticking out, standing out, or projecting — whether physically or figuratively. A prominent feature on a landscape rises above the surrounding terrain and demands attention. A prominent person in public life stands out from the crowd by virtue of influence, achievement, or fame. In both senses the core idea is the same: something or someone that cannot be overlooked.

Origin

From Latin prominens, present participle of prominere — to jut out, to project forward — from pro- (forward) and minere (to project, to overhang). The same root gives promontory — a headland that projects into the sea. Prominent entered English in the mid-16th century, first in the physical sense of projecting outward, later extended to the social and professional sense of standing out from one's peers.