dignitary — a person who holds a high rank or important position, especially in government
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a person who holds a high rank or important position, especially in government
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdɪɡnɪˌteri/
Example Sentences
- The hotel staff rolled out the red carpet for the visiting dignitary, who turned out to be someone nobody had ever heard of.
- Security was tight as several international dignitaries arrived for the peace summit.
- The company CEO felt like a dignitary when given a VIP tour of the factory, complete with hard hat and safety goggles.
dignitary
NOUN[/ˈdɪɡnɪˌteri/]
a person who holds a high rank or important position, especially in government
a well-dressed government official in formal attire steps out of a luxury black car onto a red carpet. Security personnel and protocol officers immediately surround the official with respectful attention. A welcoming committee of other officials bows slightly and extends formal greetings. Photographers and media personnel capture the arrival from a respectful distance. Guards stand at attention while ceremonial flags flutter in the background. The elaborate reception and formal protocol clearly demonstrate respect for someone of very high governmental rank. a person who holds a high rank or important position, especially in government
Every dignitary's power over the military is temporary
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Latin dignitas, meaning 'dignity, worthiness, or social standing.' In ancient Rome, dignitas was a crucial concept denoting an individual's social rank and honor, which evolved into the modern sense of a high-ranking official or person of importance.
Breakdown
dignitas (dignity, worth) + -ary (relating to, connected with). The suffix -ary transforms the noun into an adjective meaning 'of or relating to dignity,' then nominalized to denote a person of dignified status.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The hotel staff rolled out the red carpet for the visiting dignitary, who turned out to be someone nobody had ever heard of.”
“Security was tight as several international dignitaries arrived for the peace summit.”
“The company CEO felt like a dignitary when given a VIP tour of the factory, complete with hard hat and safety goggles.”
“Local dignitaries gathered to celebrate the opening of the new cultural center.”
📚Related Words
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