bigwig
Person of influence
A bigwig is an important or influential person, especially one with authority in a particular field or organization: The bigwigs from corporate are visiting next week.
The term carries a slightly mocking tone, suggesting the person takes their own importance seriously.
It alludes to the elaborate wigs once worn by judges and aristocrats.
Notable, for short
- notableWorthy of attention
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
- personageDistinguished or prominent individual
figurehead · somebody · muckety-muck · high-muck-a-muck · higher-up · brass · honcho · fat-cat
Top corporate officer
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- magnateWealthy business leader
- tycoonDominant industrial leader
- mogulInfluential industry leader
baron · industrialist · capitalist · entrepreneur · businessman · financier · investor · oligarch
Titled or virtuous
- lordNobleman or ruler
- baronLow-ranking peer
- dukeHighest-ranking nobleman
- earlBritish hereditary noble rank
count · marquis · viscount · peer · aristocrat · patrician · blueblood · grandee
Influential political dealmaker
- kingmakerPolitical influence wielder
- decision-makerOne with choosing power
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- cloutInformal power or punch
leverage · influence · sway · pull · connections · insider · gatekeeper · networker
Authority-sanctioned person or status
- dignitaryPerson of high rank
- functionaryMinor administrative worker
- bureaucratGovernment administrative official
- ministerReligious leader or serve
senator · governor · ambassador · diplomat · statesman · delegate · commissioner · secretary
Donor to charitable causes
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- patronRegular supporter or customer
- donorOne who contributes freely
- endowerOne who provides funds
sponsor · backer · supporter · contributor · charitable · foundation · trustee · fundraiser
Notable difference or honor
- renownWidespread acclaim and recognition
- statureHeight or prestige
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
- prominenceNotable status or visibility
reputation · esteem · acclaim · recognition · respectability · standing · rank · importance
VIP
Notable, for short
personage · figurehead · somebody · muckety-muck · high-muck-a-muck · higher-up · brass · honcho · fat-cat · heavyweight
CEO
Top corporate officer
mogul · baron · industrialist · capitalist · entrepreneur · businessman · financier · investor · oligarch · director
noble
Titled or virtuous
earl · count · marquis · viscount · peer · aristocrat · patrician · blueblood · grandee · nabob
power-broker
Influential political dealmaker
- kingmakerPolitical influence wielder
- decision-makerOne with choosing power
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
clout · leverage · influence · sway · pull · connections · insider · gatekeeper · networker · fixer
official
Authority-sanctioned person or status
- dignitaryPerson of high rank
- functionaryMinor administrative worker
- bureaucratGovernment administrative official
minister · senator · governor · ambassador · diplomat · statesman · delegate · commissioner · secretary · appointee
philanthropist
Donor to charitable causes
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- patronRegular supporter or customer
- donorOne who contributes freely
endower · sponsor · backer · supporter · contributor · charitable · foundation · trustee · fundraiser · humanitarian
distinction
Notable difference or honor
prominence · reputation · esteem · acclaim · recognition · respectability · standing · rank · importance · notability
- bigwigsVIP, heavy hitter, top dog, honcho, head honcho
- bossesboss, bossman, manager, supervisor, foreman
- compound slangairhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, dimwit
- political jargonfilibuster, gerrymandering, caucus, pork barrel, lame duck
- compoundscompound word, compound sentence, compound noun, compound interest, compound fracture
- eliteelite, elites, aristocrats, nobility, best
bigwignobody
Inconsequential person
nonentity · nobody special · little guy · small fry · underling