What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prestige
Example
The university has a lot of prestige in the academic world. [prestige: noun]
Example
She was impressed by the prestige of the company and its high-profile clients. [prestige: adjective]
esteem
Example
He was held in high esteem by his colleagues for his expertise in the field. [esteem: noun]
Example
She esteemed her grandmother's wisdom and life experience. [esteem: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Esteem is more commonly used than prestige in everyday language. Esteem is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while prestige is less common and refers to a more specific type of reputation or status.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prestige and esteem?
Both prestige and esteem can be used in formal and informal contexts, but prestige may be more associated with formal or academic language due to its specific connotations.