cameo

[ kam-ee-oh ]

noun

, plural cam·e·os.

1. a technique of engraving upon a gem or other stone, as onyx, in such a way that an underlying stone of one color is exposed as a background for a low-relief design of another color.
2. a gem or other stone so engraved.
3. a literary sketch, small dramatic scene, or the like, that effectively presents or depicts its subject:

   His collection of poetry gives us cameos of contemporary life that we can all readily identify with.

4. Also called cameo role. a minor part played by a prominent performer or celebrity in a single scene of a motion picture, play, or television show.

verb (used without object)

1. to appear in a cameo role, as in a motion picture:

   She’s starred or cameoed in five films by the same director.

cameo

/ ˈkæmɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. 1. a medallion, as on a brooch or ring, with a profile head carved in relief
   2. ( as modifier )

      a cameo necklace

2. an engraving upon a gem or other stone of at least two differently coloured layers, such as sardonyx, so carved that the background is of a different colour from the raised design
3. a stone with such an engraving
4. 1. a single and often brief dramatic scene played by a well-known actor or actress in a film or television play
   2. ( as modifier )

      a cameo role

5. 1. a short literary work or dramatic sketch
   2. ( as modifier )

      a cameo sketch

Word History and Origins

Origin of cameo¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English cameu, cemieus, chamehieux “engraved gem,” from Old French camaieu and Medieval Latin cammaeus, cammeus, camahūtus; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of cameo¹

C15: from Italian cammeo, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

How did you wrangle Nicole Kidman for her hilarious cameo in the movie?

From The Daily Beast

Tarantino would later cast Chiba in a cameo as legendary sword maker Hattori Hanzo in Kill Bill: Vol.

From The Daily Beast

[Laughs] I was down there watching him for a while—I did a cameo with him at the end of the film—and he was very funny.

From The Daily Beast

I went to Siena, which was cast as Perugia, for a cameo role as a television journalist in the film.

From The Daily Beast

The film stars Michael Parks, Justin Long, Haley Joel Osment, and features a cameo by Johnny Depp.

From The Daily Beast

It is a cameo head of Elizabeth, cut in a sardonyx, and set in a gold ring, enamelled at the back.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the monkish loot at St. Albans was an ancient cameo herewith reproduced.

From Project Gutenberg

The intaglio work on this side is not equal to that in cameo, on the other.

From Project Gutenberg

His arms were about the lithe figure, drawing her close when he became aware of the clean-carven cameo face so near him.

From Project Gutenberg

A cameo dropped in one place, a clay figure of Minerva set up in another, completed the picture.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bracelet
• brooch
• costume
• earring
• gem
• glass
• gold
• jewel
• knickknack
• necklace
• ornament
• pendant
• silver
• tiara
• treasure
• trinket