prestige

noun

pres·​tige pre-ˈstēzh 

-ˈstēj

often attributive

1

: standing or estimation in the eyes of people : weight or credit in general opinion

2

: commanding position in people's minds

prestigeful

pre-ˈstēzh-fəl 

-ˈstēj-

adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for prestige

influence, authority, prestige, weight, credit mean power exerted over the minds or behavior of others.

influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously.

used her influence to get the bill passed

authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief.

his opinions lacked authority

prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority.

the prestige of the newspaper

weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices.

their wishes obviously carried much weight

credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others.

his credit with the press

Examples of prestige in a Sentence

Her career as a diplomat has brought her enormous prestige.

The job has low pay and low prestige.

The family has wealth and social prestige.

Recent Examples on the Web

This marks the retailer’s first Black and woman-owned brand within the prestige fragrance category. —Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025

Besides reaping geopolitical rewards, China could use the prestige garnered by an early human landing to codify regulations by international bodies that would stymie space development, which the U.S. currently leads. —John Kross, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025

Season eight of Love Is Blind will follow singles from Minneapolis, Minnesota and is already in some bother with the National Labor Relations Board! Movie icon Robert De Niro leads Netflix’s most prestige TV launch for February, in the political thriller Zero Day. —Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2025

The decision to buy a mined diamond often comes down to its luxury status or brand prestige. —Garth Friesen, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, conjuror's trick, illusion, from Latin praestigiae, plural, conjuror's tricks, from praestringere to graze, blunt, constrict, from prae- + stringere to bind tight — more at strain

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prestige

noun

pres·​tige pre-ˈstēzh 

-ˈstēj

: importance in the eyes of other people

prestigious

-ˈstij-əs

adjective

prestigiously adverb

prestigiousness noun