illustrious

/ɪˈlʌs.tɹɪ.əs/adjective

Famous and greatly respected, especially because of outstanding achievements.

Example sentence

“The award is named after an illustrious scientist.”

A formal, slightly grand word. Common in 'illustrious career' and 'illustrious history'.

Featured as word of the day on February 4, 2026.

Related words

imaginativeFull of creativity; good at coming up with new and original ideas.illustrateTo make something clearer, often by giving examples or adding pictures.imitateTo copy someone or something; to use another as your model.illusionSomething that gives a false impression of being real or true.immaculatePerfectly clean, or free from any flaw or mark.illuminateA person believed to possess special or exceptional enlightenment.