These two sound alike, but one is about being important and the other is about time.
- Eminent means well known and highly respected, standing out above others.
- Imminent means about to happen very soon.
Eminent: famous and respected
An eminent scientist visited our school.
She is an eminent author of children's books.
The museum asked an eminent historian to speak.
Imminent: about to happen
Dark clouds meant that rain was imminent.
The bell is imminent, so pack your bag.
A decision is imminent.
Imminent is often used for things that are coming very soon, even things people are waiting for.
Easy way to tell them apart
Ask: Is it about a person's fame, or about timing?
- A famous, respected person? Use eminent.
- Something about to happen? Use imminent.
💡 The OddLingo Trick
Imminent shares its first letters with immediately, because both are about soon. Eminent starts like the Emmy award, which goes to people who stand out.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Famous person: eminent.
❌ An imminent professor spoke to us.
✅ An eminent professor spoke to us.
About to happen: imminent.
❌ The storm is eminent.
✅ The storm is imminent.
A third look-alike
There is also immanent, which sounds the same as imminent but is a rare word used in philosophy and religion. You will almost never need it. If the event is happening soon, you want imminent.