eminence

/ˈem.ɪ.nəns/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɛmənəns] /ˈem.ə.nəns/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈɛmənəns] /ˈe-mə-nən(t)s/ (ame, mw)

eminence — noun

  • eminencesingular
  • eminencesplural

1. great respect and importance earned through outstanding work, position, or influ

1.名詞C2
釋義

great respect and importance earned through outstanding work, position, or influence

例句

After years of careful research, Lakshmi reached eminence in heart surgery.

reach eminence in [field]

The festival gained eminence when poets from five countries joined the program.

gain eminence — growing respect or status

同義詞
  • prestige

    focuses on the status value attached to a person, school, or role

  • prominence

    stresses being noticeable or influential, not always deeply admired

  • distinction

    highlights excellence that sets someone apart, often through achievement

  • renown

    focuses on being widely admired or celebrated, often by many people

反義詞
  • obscurity

    the state of being little known or unnoticed

  • insignificance

    the state of having little importance or influence

文法句型

rise to eminence

reach eminence

eminence in [field]

用法筆記

Usually followed by in or within plus a field, and most often describes long-established respect rather than sudden popularity. Distinguish from fame, which can be broad public attention without the same sense of authority.

常見錯誤

❌The actor reached eminence after one funny video.
✅The actor became famous after one funny video.
💡eminence usually suggests deep, lasting respect, not brief viral attention.

2. a person who is greatly respected and influential in a profession or field

2.名詞C2
釋義

a person who is greatly respected and influential in a profession or field

例句

Young composers were thrilled to meet two musical eminences after the concert.

countable use for respected people

The magazine invited a legal eminence to explain the new election law.

a legal eminence

同義詞
  • authority

    emphasizes expert knowledge or accepted judgment in a subject

  • leading figure

    more everyday and less formal than eminence

  • luminary

    literary and celebratory, often stressing brilliance or inspiration

反義詞
  • novice

    someone new to a field rather than widely respected in it

  • unknown

    a person with no recognized standing or public profile

文法句型

a legal eminence

a medical eminence

the country's leading eminences

用法筆記

Usually appears with a field label, as in medical or legal eminence. Much rarer than everyday expressions such as leading expert or famous scientist.

常見錯誤

❌She became eminence after the prize.
✅She achieved eminence after the prize.' / 'She became a scientific eminence after the prize.
💡without a/an, eminence names the state; with a/an, it names the respected person.

3. a part of the body, especially a bone, that projects outward from the surroundin

3.名詞C2
釋義

a part of the body, especially a bone, that projects outward from the surrounding surface

例句

The dentist showed a small bony eminence above Omar's back tooth.

a bony eminence

A hard eminence was visible near the baby's ankle after the fall.

同義詞
  • projection

    a broader anatomical term for anything that sticks out

  • protuberance

    a more technical word for a rounded bulge or protruding part

反義詞
  • depression

    a hollow or sunken area rather than a raised one

文法句型

an eminence on [bone]

a bony eminence

an eminence above [part of body]

用法筆記

Mostly used in anatomy or medical writing, especially for bone features described on scans or models. In everyday English, speakers usually say bump or projection instead.

4. a title used when addressing or referring to a Roman Catholic cardinal

4.名詞C2
釋義

a title used when addressing or referring to a Roman Catholic cardinal

例句

Before mass, the assistant asked Miguel to say 'Your Eminence' clearly.

direct address: Your Eminence

The letter to the cardinal opened with the words 'Your Eminence'.

written greeting: Your Eminence

同義詞
  • title

    a broad word for any formal form of address, including many non-church ones

  • honorific

    the general category word for respectful titles, not the specific title itself

文法句型

Your Eminence

His Eminence

Her Eminence

用法筆記

Usually capitalized in direct address and mainly used in Roman Catholic ceremonial or formal church settings. Distinguish from Excellency, which is used for diplomats and heads of state, not cardinals.

常見錯誤

❌Please welcome Your Excellency,' the host said to the cardinal.
✅Please welcome Your Eminence,' the host said to the cardinal.
💡cardinals are addressed as Your Eminence, not Your Excellency.

5. a raised piece of land standing above the lower ground around it

5.名詞C2
釋義

a raised piece of land standing above the lower ground around it

例句

The hikers rested on an eminence above the river before sunset.

on an eminence

Esme watched smoke over the village from a grassy eminence.

a grassy eminence

同義詞
  • hill

    the everyday word for raised ground, usually larger and more common

  • rise

    often means a slight upward slope or raised area

  • knoll

    a small rounded hill, usually more specific than eminence

反義詞
  • valley

    low ground between hills or mountains, opposite of raised ground

  • hollow

    a lower or sunken area rather than elevated land

文法句型

on an eminence

a grassy eminence

a low eminence

用法筆記

Mostly found in formal, old-fashioned, or descriptive writing about land. Everyday English usually prefers hill, rise, or high ground.