What does prominent mean?
Word: Prominent
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Prominent means important and well known; also, easy to see because it sticks out or stands out.
Synonyms: famous, leading, noticeable, conspicuous
Antonyms: unknown, inconspicuous
Word origin: From a Latin word meaning to jut out.
How do you spell prominent?
Syllables: prom - i - nent
Tricky part: The ending is ent, not ant; because it is said lightly, students write prominant.
Watch out for: prominant, prominet
Memory tip: Everyone Notices Things that are prominent: E, N, T, the letters that end the word.
Prominent in a sentence
Example 1: A prominent scientist came to our school to talk about the Apollo Moon landings.
Example 2: The old clock tower stands on a hill, so it is prominent from every part of town.
Example 3: Rohan has a prominent dimple on his left cheek.
Fun Fact
Because of its Latin root, the word was first used for things that physically stick out, such as a nose or a rock, and only later came to mean well known.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
pr_m_nent
a) o, e
b) o, i
c) o, a
d) a, i
Show answer
b) o, i. Prom opens the word, and the i follows the m.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
prominent
a) obscure
b) notable
c) distinguished
d) renowned
Show answer
a) obscure. Renowned, notable and distinguished all describe someone well known; obscure is the opposite.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) prominent
b) vigilant
c) magnificent
d) diffrent
Show answer
d) diffrent. Different keeps the e after the double f.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
mnpoenirt
a) pertinent
b) prevalent
c) permanent
d) prominent
Show answer
d) prominent. Permanent has an a, pertinent has no m and prevalent has a v; only prominent fits.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Why would a shopkeeper put her sign in a prominent place?
a) so that it lasts longer
b) so that it costs less
c) so that more people spot it
d) so that it stays clean
Show answer
c) so that more people spot it
2. On a flat plain, what is most likely to be prominent?
a) a buried pipe
b) a small stone
c) a tall water tower
d) a blade of grass
Show answer
c) a tall water tower
