Phrase guide

very important person

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A person who is accorded special privileges due to their status or importance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: VIP

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

an important or influential (and often overbearing) person

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: VIP, high-up, dignitary, panjandrum, high muckamuck

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: important person, influential person, personage

History

Etymology

The term was coined around 1933.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 贵宾 (guìbīn) — person who is accorded special privileges due to his or her status or importance
  • Russian: ва́жное лицо́ (vážnoje licó) — person who is accorded special privileges due to his or her status or importance
  • Russian: высокопоста́вленное лицо́ (vysokopostávlennoje licó) — person who is accorded special privileges due to his or her status or importance
  • Russian: осо́бо ва́жная персо́на (osóbo vážnaja persóna) — person who is accorded special privileges due to his or her status or importance