prominent

adjective prom·i·nent \ˈprä-mə-nənt, ˈpräm-nənt\

: important and well-known

: easily noticed or seen

: sticking out in a way that is easily seen or noticed

Full Definition of PROMINENT

: standing out or projecting beyond a surface or line : protuberant

a : readily noticeable : conspicuous

b : widely and popularly known : leading

— prom·i·nent·ly adverb

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Examples of PROMINENT

… and a small precise mouth he kept pursed over teeth a shade too prominent and yellow. —John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994
When the easy way out seemed to be for a number of prominent men to support a petition to get Davis a pardon, which, if granted, would get the President and others off the hook, Davis was determined to let them hang there. —Robert Penn Warren, Jefferson Davis Gets His Citizenship Back, 1980
His eyes, which tended to bulge when he was exercised, were not quite prominent. —E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974
I don't mind his calling me raw. He is reckoned raw himself and at the same time perhaps the most prominent of the younger poets here. —Robert Frost, letter, c. 16 June 1913
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Origin of PROMINENT

Middle English promynent, from Latin prominent-, prominens, from present participle of prominēre to jut forward, from pro- forward + -minēre (akin to mont-, mons mountain) — more at mount

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PROMINENT

Synonyms: arresting, bodacious, bold, brilliant, catchy, commanding, conspicuous, dramatic, emphatic, eye-catching, flamboyant, grabby, kenspeckle [chiefly Scottish], marked, noisy, noticeable, pronounced, remarkable, showy, splashy, striking

Antonyms: inconspicuous, unemphatic, unflamboyant, unnoticeable, unobtrusive, unremarkable, unshowy

Synonym Discussion of PROMINENT

noticeable, remarkable, prominent, outstanding, conspicuous, salient, striking mean attracting notice or attention. noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation <a piano recital with no noticeable errors>. remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment <a film of remarkable intelligence and wit>. prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background <a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town>. outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind <honored for her outstanding contributions to science>. conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind <conspicuous bureaucratic waste>. salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it <the salient points of the speech>. striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision <the region's striking poverty>.