1
Core quality
Important, well known, or readily noticeable because it stands out.
Example
A prominent historian led the review.
prominent
/ˈprɒmɪnənt/ · PROM-ih-nuntadjective
Important, well known, or readily noticeable because it stands out.
Use prominent to express this relationship precisely: important, well known, or readily noticeable because it stands out.
What prominent Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
The tower is the site's most prominent feature.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The issue became prominent during the election.
Use prominent Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
A prominent historian led the review.
The tower is the site's most prominent feature.
The issue became prominent during the election.
Precision Matters
Prominent overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
prominent
vs.Means important, well known, or readily noticeable because it stands out.
obscure
Means not well known or difficult to understand.
prominent
vs.Means important, well known, or readily noticeable because it stands out.
peripheral
Means situated at the edge or secondary to the main issue.
prominent
vs.Means important, well known, or readily noticeable because it stands out.
trivial
Means of little importance or consequence.
prominent
vs.Means important, well known, or readily noticeable because it stands out.
notorious
Means widely known, especially for something bad, harmful, or unfavourable.
Test prominent in Context
The feature stands out and is readily noticeable.
1
Visible from every part of the valley, the tower is the landscape's most ___ feature.