Who's Who
Prominent people listing
Who's Who is a reference publication listing notable people with brief biographical information.
The phrase has become generic for any directory of prominent figures in a field: a who's who of Silicon Valley executives.
Lowercase, a who's who describes any gathering or list of important people: The gala was a who's who of the fashion industry.
Comprehensive subject-matter collection
- compendiumCondensed reference collection
- registerRecord officially; vocal range
- almanacYearly data compilation
- handbookCompact reference guide
guide · catalogue · archive · index · repository · database · anthology · compilation
Public recognition, widespread
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- notorietyFame from misdeeds
- acclaimEnthusiastic public approval
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
reputation · honor · prestige · status · visibility · prominence · acknowledgment · esteem
Side-facing outline
- memoirWritten personal recollection
- portraitArtistic depiction of someone
- entryAccess or submission
- sketchHasty informal drawing
narrative · account · career · achievements · credentials · accomplishments · background · pedigree
Notable and respected
- eminentHigh in rank, respected
- notableWorthy of attention
- prominentEasily noticed or distinguished
- illustriousWidely admired for achievements
celebrated · renowned · preeminent · influential · luminaries · laureates · aristocracy · nobility
encyclopedia
Comprehensive subject-matter collection
- compendiumCondensed reference collection
- registerRecord officially; vocal range
- almanacYearly data compilation
handbook · guide · catalogue · archive · index · repository · database · anthology · compilation · bibliography
fame
Public recognition, widespread
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- notorietyFame from misdeeds
- acclaimEnthusiastic public approval
distinction · reputation · honor · prestige · status · visibility · prominence · acknowledgment · esteem · kudos
profile
Side-facing outline
sketch · narrative · account · career · achievements · credentials · accomplishments · background · pedigree · lineage
distinguished
Notable and respected
illustrious · celebrated · renowned · preeminent · influential · luminaries · laureates · aristocracy · nobility · establishment
- biographiesbiography, biographies, autobiography, autobiographies, memoir
- high societygossip, socialites, socialite, aristocrats, aristocrat
- life recordsautobiography, birth records, biography, death records, birth certificate
- Biography Referencebirth date, death date, career summary, notable achievements, historical figures
- British ReferencesOED, Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary, Roget's Thesaurus, BNF
- directoriesphone book, phone books, white pages, phone directory, business directory
Who's Whonobodies
Unimportant, unknown persons
the unknown · the masses · ordinary people · common folk · John Q. Public
Who's Whocensus
Official population count
phone book · directory · registry · roll call · comprehensive list