Most Important Distinction
Eminent and imminent are both real words. They are not spelling variants, so the “correct” choice depends on the meaning you need.
Eminent and imminent look almost identical, and they even sound close. Still, they point to two totally different ideas: status versus timing. If your sentence is about a person’s reputation, you’re in eminent territory. If it’s about something just about to happen, you’re looking for imminent.
The Core Difference
- Eminent
- Adjective Reputation Distinguished
Used for people (and sometimes institutions or qualities) that stand out for excellence or recognition. - Imminent
- Adjective Time Very Soon
Used for events or outcomes that are close to happening.
Think of eminent as a word for standing out in the social or professional sense: recognized, respected, highly regarded. Think of imminent as a word for time pressure: it signals something is close and approaching.
Meaning of Eminent
Eminent describes someone (or something) that is well-known and respected, usually because of achievement or standing. You’ll most often see it right before a role or profession: eminent doctor, scholar, architect, or researcher. ✅Source
Where Eminent Typically Shows Up
- Eminent + profession (scientist, judge, historian, designer)
- Eminent + institution (university, clinic, lab) when the institution has a strong reputation
- Eminent + quality in more formal writing (skill, good sense, judgment)
It can also carry an older, more literal sense of standing out or being prominent in a visible way, but modern everyday use usually sticks to the reputation meaning. In plain terms: eminent is about who someone is in the eyes of others.
Meaning of Imminent
Imminent means happening very soon. It’s used for events, outcomes, and changes that feel close enough to matter right now. A classic pattern is imminent + arrival, launch, decision, deadline, or announcement. ✅Source
Imminent often appears in serious contexts, yet the core meaning stays the same: very near in time. That’s the key. The word is about timing, not about status.
Pronunciation and Spelling
Both words have three syllables and the stress lands early: EM-ih-nent versus IM-ih-nent. In dictionary pronunciation guides, imminent is shown with an initial sound like the i in “in,” and it’s defined as “ready to take place” or “happening soon.” ✅Source
Sound Cue
Eminent starts with an eh sound in many accents, like the start of “em-” in “emblem.”
Imminent starts with an ih sound, like “im-” in “immediate.”
Spelling Cue
Eminent has one m and is tied to eminence (standing out, distinction).
Imminent has double m. Many writers mentally connect it to immediate because both signal closeness in time.
Why They Get Mixed Up
The mix-up has a real reason: eminent and imminent come from very similar Latin building blocks, and their modern spellings ended up looking like close relatives. Merriam-Webster notes the shared Latin root idea of projecting/overhanging, with prefixes that pushed the meanings in different directions. ✅Source
Even when the words look like a near-match on the page, their meanings don’t overlap much. Time belongs to imminent. Reputation belongs to eminent.
Common Mix-Ups and Clean Corrections
| What You Mean | Choose This Word | Reason | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Famous / respected | ✅ Correct eminent | Recognition or distinction | An eminent researcher spoke at the symposium. |
| About to happen | ✅ Correct imminent | Near in time | The product update is imminent. |
| Respected person but you wrote imminent | ❌ Wrong imminent | It shifts the meaning to time | ❌ an imminent surgeon → ✅ an eminent surgeon |
| Soon event but you wrote eminent | ❌ Wrong eminent | It shifts the meaning to status | ❌ an eminent deadline → ✅ an imminent deadline |
Three Reliable Signals
- Eminent sticks to people, careers, and reputation.
- Imminent sticks to events, outcomes, and time closeness.
- If the noun can be scheduled (arrival, deadline, announcement), imminent is usually the semantic fit.
Realistic Example Sentences
Imminent in Context
- The announcement is imminent, so the team kept the schedule open.
- With the deadline imminent, the final review moved to the top of the agenda.
- They paused the rollout because a system change was imminent.
- Everyone sensed an imminent shift in priorities.
Related Words and Near-Neighbors
Eminent often sits near words like distinguished, notable, and renowned. Imminent often sits near impending and looming. Merriam-Webster’s usage note on this family of lookalike words highlights the clean split: eminent is about standing out, while imminent is about something about to happen. ✅Source
Useful Noun Forms
- eminence: the state of being highly respected or distinguished
- imminence: the state of being near in time or close to occurring
- preeminent: often used for a top-ranked position, typically stronger than eminent
FAQ
Eminent vs Imminent: Common Questions
Are Eminent and Imminent Both Correct Words?
Yes. Eminent and imminent are both correct. The “correct” choice is whichever matches your meaning: reputation versus time.
What Does Eminent Mean in Simple Terms?
Eminent means well-known and respected. It’s most common with people and professional roles, where distinction matters.
What Does Imminent Mean in Simple Terms?
Imminent means about to happen very soon. It’s used for events, outcomes, and changes that are close in time.
Can You Use Eminent for Things, Not People?
Yes. Eminent can describe an institution, a body of work, or even a quality in more formal writing, as long as the idea is standing out or distinction.
Is “Imminent” Always About Something Negative?
No. Imminent often appears in serious contexts, but the meaning is neutral: very soon. The noun you pair it with sets the tone.
What Is the Fastest Meaning Check?
If the sentence is about status or reputation, it points to eminent. If it’s about timing and something near, it points to imminent.