celebrity

[suh-leb-ri-tee]

noun

plural

celebrities 

1. a famous or well-known person.

2. fame; renown.

   Synonyms: stardom, eminence, note, distinction

celebrity

/ sɪˈlɛbrɪtɪ /

noun

1. a famous person

   a show-business celebrity

2. fame or notoriety

Other Word Forms

• noncelebrity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of celebrity¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin celebritās multitude, fame, festal celebration, equivalent to celebr- (stem of celeber ) often repeated, famous + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

During frequent spells of leave from his fashionable regiment, the Royal Horse Guards, he earned celebrity as an intrepid traveler and balloonist, and wrote bestselling accounts of his adventures.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A highlight of such visits is the spectacular state banquet in St George's Hall, where the King and president will make speeches, with celebrity guests enjoying a showcase dinner.

Read more on BBC

Inside the hidden world of First Wap, whose untraceable tech has targeted politicians, journalists, celebrities, and activists around the globe.

Read more on MarketWatch

Here countless celebrities and industry titans alighted as they came, or returned, to L.A.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Politicians, journalists, celebrities, religious leaders and business leaders all bear a share of the blame.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• figure 
• hero 
• luminary 
• personage 
• personality 
• someone 
• star 
• superstar