A male person or being whose authority or pre-eminence is comparable to that of a king. Frequently with of. (A title of or name for) a god or…

Prefixed to the designation of a person, with the sense ‘chief’, ‘leading’, ‘commanding’. Now rare in general sense, except in master-spirit…

More generally: knights, nobles, or illustrious people renowned for their heroism and chivalry. Also in singular douzeper: a knight or illustrious…

A person of some note or importance; an aged or elderly man. Also generally: man, fellow.

A distinguished, eminent, or renowned person, esp. one of courage or noble character. Later in somewhat weakened sense: a person who is prominent or…

figurative. Applied to things metaphorically giving light. †Formerly often of persons.

A person of rank or importance (more recently, also spec. a knight or baronet); a lord, a gentleman; one who might be addressed as ‘sir’.

A great, eminent, or distinguished person; (in later use frequently) an eminent or leading figure in a specified field (frequently in plural in the…

A worthy or illustrious person. Also: worthy or illustrious people collectively. Obsolete (Scottish in later use).

A man or woman of high rank, distinction, or importance; a personage. Usually (and now only) with modifying word or phrase.

A person who is eminent in a particular sphere, or notable for virtue, intellect, or another admirable quality; a luminary. Now esp. in leading light…

A great or noble person; a member of the nobility or elite of a particular country; a wealthy, eminent, or influential person, now esp. in the…

A man of note or standing in a community.

A person of high rank, distinction, or importance; a person of note. Frequently with modifying word, as great, important, etc.

One distinguished by the possession of intellect, strength, valour, etc. in extraordinary amount or degree.

An honourable or distinguished person.

As n. Distinguished one. Obsolete.

A great or noble person (originally as an honorary title applied to any of the magnates of Venice). Hence: any person of high rank or position…

A person who enhances or adds distinction to his or her sphere, time, etc.

Esp. in Italy: a man of distinction, rank, or authority; a gentleman, a nobleman; an overlord. See also grand signior, n.

A man (or occasionally a woman) generally admired or acclaimed for great qualities or achievements in any field. Cf. heroine, n. 1a.

In extended use: a person of high rank or position; a person who is eminent or possesses significant influence in a particular sphere.

A prominent person; spec. (in the Second World War) a privileged inmate in a German concentration camp. Now North American.

A person of note or notoriety; a celebrity; a person, organization, etc., whose name is well known.

An eminent personage. Obsolete.

Often in the Shakespearean phrase, choice spirit.

Illustriousness. In quot. 1637, illustrious personage.

figurative. A source of intellectual, moral, or spiritual light (now only of persons, formerly also occasionally of things); a person of ‘light…

Hence: A person of note or celebrity who is much sought after.

colloquial, originally slang. A fashionably or stylishly dressed person; hence, a person of good social position, a highly distinguished person.

gen. A noteworthy, eminent, or distinguished person.

figurative. One who holds a superior position; the best man.

figurative and in figurative contexts. A person who ‘shines’ or has a brilliant reputation, esp. one who is illustrious, influential, or accomplished…

A well-known or famous person; (now chiefly) spec. a person, esp. in entertainment or sport, who attracts interest from the general public and…

A famous or prominent person.

A notorious or well-known person.

A person outstanding or eminent in a particular field (usually a member of a contextually identified group).

An important or dominant person, esp. in business or politics; a magnate. Also attributive. Originally U.S. (as a nickname of Abraham Lincoln).

As a count noun: a person or thing's esteem or fame. Also: †a source of honour and credit (obsolete); a person of note or distinction.

a person known of by the general public.

The principal, best, or most popular item or entertainer in a show; a performance given by a star (star, n.1 4c). Frequently in extended use. Cf. turn…

Originally U.S. A performer who takes top billing at a show, venue, etc., and who typically appears last; an act, show, etc., receiving such…

one who is worthy of being featured on the front page; a celebrity.

A person of sufficient distinction or achievement to have become widely renowned or talked about, esp. with respect, reverence, or awe. Frequently in…

A celebrity.

(a) n. a person who is famous in a particular sphere, (originally) esp. in the field of entertainment; (b) adj. (attributive) (usually with hyphen)…

a famous or leading person, organization, etc.; a top-ranker.

one elected or belonging to a Hall of Fame (esp. in Baseball).

An exceptionally famous, well-publicized, or successful celebrity, esp. in the entertainment business.