illustrious

[ih-luhs-tree-uh s] /ɪˈlʌs tri əs/

adjective

highly distinguished; renowned; famous:

an illustrious leader.

glorious, as deeds or works:

many illustrious achievements.

Obsolete. luminous; bright.

Origin

1560-70; < Latin illustri(s) bright, clear, famous (equivalent to illustr(āre) to brighten (see il-¹, luster¹) + -is adj. suffix) + -ous

Related forms

illustriously, adverb

illustriousness, noun

unillustrious, adjective

unillustriously, adverb

unillustriousness, noun

Synonyms

1. celebrated, eminent, famed.

Examples from the web for illustrious

He is one who raises himself from private consideration and breathes and lives on public and illustrious thoughts.
He is one who raises himself from private considerations, and breathes and lives on public and illustrious thoughts.
She married into an illustrious family in the beauty business.
illustrious dead, living beauty lure visitors to rural cemeteries.

British Dictionary definitions for illustrious

illustrious

/ɪˈlʌstrɪəs/

adjective

of great renown; famous and distinguished

glorious or great: illustrious deeds

(obsolete) shining

Derived Forms

illustriously, adverb
illustriousness, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin illustris bright, distinguished, famous, from illustrāre to make light; see illustrate

Word Origin and History for illustrious

adj.

1560s, from Latin illustris "lighted, bright, brilliant;" figuratively "distinguished, famous," probably a back-formation from illustrare "embellish, distinguish, make famous" (see illustration). Sometimes also illustrous. Replaced illustre in same sense (mid-15c.), from Middle French illustre.