preeminent
pree-EM-ih-nuntadjMeaning better or more famous than all others in a field
Memory hook PRE-EMINENT: stands out above even the famous. There are many famous bakers in town, but Nell stands out above them all; her line stretches around the block. She is preeminent.
She is the preeminent expert on spiders in the whole country.
In context Many bakers in the city made good bread, but Nell’s shop was preeminent: people crossed town and waited an hour in line just to buy her sourdough.
Similar leading, foremost, top, outstanding
Opposite minor, obscure, inferior
From Latin praeeminere, “to stand out above”: prae (before, above) + eminere (to stand out).