source: By Unknown - Yuan, Zhongyi. China's terracotta army and the First Emperor's mausoleum: the art and culture of Qin Shihuang's underground palace. Paramus, New Jersey: Homa & Sekey Books, 2010. ISBN 978-1-931907-68-2 (p.140), Public Domain

FAMOUS, RENOWNED, CELEBRATED, NOTED, NOTORIOUS, DISTINGUISHED, EMINENT, ILLUSTRIOUS mean known far and wide.

FAMOUS implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

e.g. a famous actress

RENOWNED implies more glory and acclamation.

e.g. one of the most renowned figures in sports history

CELEBRATED implies notice and attention especially in print.

e.g. the most celebrated beauty of her day

NOTED suggests well-deserved public attention.

e.g. the noted mystery writer

NOTORIOUS frequently adds to

FAMOUS an implication of questionableness or evil.

e.g. a notorious gangster

DISTINGUISHED implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

e.g. a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

EMINENT implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

e.g. the country's most eminent writers

ILLUSTRIOUS stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

e.g. illustrious war heroes

well known, respected, and admired for past achievements:

(功績により)有名な, 著名な

e.g. his illustrious predecessor

輝かしい〈仕事など〉

e.g. an illustrious career.

illustriously |iˈləstrēəslē| adverb

illustriousness noun

mid 16th century: from Latin illustris ‘clear, bright’+ -ous.