These words refer to people distinguished either by social standing or by accomplishment. Great is them sot general and informal of these words and has a wide range of uses outside this context. Here, it may refer to groups that possess wealth, influence or position: the Sforza, Medici and other great families of Renaissance Italy. Or it may refer to an accomplished person or his accomplishments: a great composer; Newton’s great discovery. The word is more far-reaching in the latter sense, since it implies that accomplishment has been critically evaluated or tested by time in light of its contribution to art, knowledge or human well-being. The social sense of the word, by contrast, merely implies the winning of status in a constricted or transitory sphere.

Reputable , while much more formal, functions like great in both ways. In either case, it may point to mere acceptance or absence of fault rather than the genuine brilliance of a person or his work in its own right; a reputable middle-class family of merchants; a reputable scholar, a bit on the dry side; a reputable but outdated work on the subject. The word implies approval by those in a position to know rather than far-reaching fame; this makes it the mildest of the words here. Illustrious , the strongest term here, shows the sharpest possible contrast with reputable , since it always suggests fame or glory. The word is mostly restricted to the accomplished or their accomplishments and may not necessarily indicate a reputable person at all: illustrious deeds; an illustrious poet who scandalized the reputable upper classes of his day. When used in the context of social standing, the word usually applies to people who have added brilliant accomplishments to wealth, status or rank: an illustrious family that gave England some of its finest generals, statesmen and thinkers over several centuries.

Notable and noteworthy are somewhat stronger in tone than reputable , but both apply more exclusively to accomplished people or to their accomplishments. Both words would seem to point to something that merits attention, but in practice notable indicates those people or things that are actually known, respected or admired, whereas noteworthy indicates what is worthy of attention but may not yet have received it: several notable authors whose latest books are in the publisher’s hands; the only critic to single out the book as a noteworthy attempt despite its failure. Also, as can be seen, notable often suggests successful achievement, noteworthy a promising effort.

Eminent is considerably stronger in emphasis than all the preceding words except illustrious . Here, the word functions equally well in the contexts both of social status and of accomplishment: people eminent enough to be listed in "Who’s who"; an eminent scientist. The word has a dignified tone, suggesting solid, well-respected values, and points to the most admired members of a given class. This makes the word less pertinent to the arts than to the academic disciplines, the sciences or the learned professions: an illustrious painter; an eminent critic; an eminent Supreme Court judge. Pre-eminent is a superlative for eminent, indicating that person who is the most respected of an already admired group. It also tends to suggest a position of great power and authority: the pre-eminent moulder of taste in his era. Neither of this pair is likely to be used in description of some accomplishment itself. Moreover, both words in emphasizing respectability do not approach illustrious in suggesting widespread renown. A person might be eminent , even pre-eminent in his field, and still not be in any way illustrious .