illustrious

[ ih-luhs-tree-uhs ]
/ ɪˈlʌs tri əs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR illustrious ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

highly distinguished; renowned; famous: an illustrious leader.
glorious, as deeds or works: many illustrious achievements.
Obsolete. luminous; bright.

Origin of illustrious

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

OTHER WORDS FROM illustrious

Words nearby illustrious

illustrated, illustration, illustrational, illustrative, illustrator, illustrious, illuvial, illuviate, illuviation, illuvium, illy

Words related to illustriously

handsomely, grandly, beautifully, wonderfully, remarkably, magnificently, gorgeously, strikingly, superbly, elegantly, advantageously, excellently, extremely, greatly, honorably, sincerely, creditably, gloriously, majestically, well

Example sentences from the Web for illustriously

  • He is the present chieftain of the McGregor clan, which figures so illustriously in the history of Scotland.

    The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Omnibus |American Anti-Slavery Society

  • He fell conspicuously, illustriously, between the reviewers who reviled him, and the public who would have none of him.

    The Creators |May Sinclair

British Dictionary definitions for illustriously

illustrious
/ (ɪˈlʌstrɪəs) /

adjective

of great renown; famous and distinguished
glorious or great illustrious deeds
obsolete shining

Derived forms of illustrious

illustriously, adverb illustriousness, noun

Word Origin for illustrious

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