famous

[fey-muhs]

adjective

1. having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated.

   a famous writer.

   Synonyms: illustrious, notable, famed
   Antonyms: obscure, unknown

2. Informal.,  first-rate; excellent.

   The singer gave a famous performance.

3. unfavorably known; notorious.

   In my family, my uncle is famous for his bad jokes.

famous

/ ˈfeɪməs /

adjective

1. known to or recognized by many people; renowned

2. informal,  excellent; splendid

3. archaic,  of ill repute

Other Word Forms

• famously adverb
• famousness noun
• overfamous adjective
• prefamous adjective
• prefamously adverb
• pseudofamous adjective
• pseudofamously adverb
• quasi-famous adjective
• quasi-famously adverb
• unfamous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of famous¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin fāmōsus; fame, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of famous¹

C14: from Latin fāmōsus ; see _fame

Synonym Study

Famous, celebrated, eminent, distinguished refer to someone or something widely and favorably known. Famous is the general word: a famous lighthouse. Celebrated originally referred to something commemorated, but now usually refers to someone or something widely known for conspicuous merit, services, etc.: a celebrated writer. Eminent implies high standing among one's contemporaries, especially in one's own profession or craft: an eminent physician. Distinguished adds to eminent the idea of honors conferred more or less publicly: a distinguished scientist.

Example Sentences

That is how he is remembered by some of his former friends at Millfield School, which is famous for producing multiple Olympians and sports stars such as Formula One driver Lando Norris.

Read more on BBC

It moved from the famous pastel hotel facades of Miami's South Beach to the sprawling necklace of mansion apartments along Mumbai's Marine Drive seafront.

Read more on BBC

In her essay, Schlossberg acknowledged that her terminal illness adds to a string of tragedies that has befallen the famous political family.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Fiske said the linemen had seen a famous photo of the Fearsome Foursome in a social media post.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Only after a landslide opened the vent and triggered a rapid pressure drop did the volcano unleash its famous explosive phase.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• acclaimed www.thesaurus.com
• brilliant 
• distinguished 
• eminent 
• excellent 
• glorious 
• grand 
• great 
• honored 
• illustrious 
• important 
• influential 
• leading 
• memorable 
• noted 
• notorious 
• outstanding 
• powerful 
• preeminent 
• prominent