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

Missouri museum of famous hair wreaths is closing.

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Not only was he rated several hundred points higher than anyone else in the fields, he was also exponentially more famous, as the planet’s leading chess influencer.

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Cam Schlittler grew up dreaming about one day etching his name into the storied history of baseball’s most famous rivalry.

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Roberts, their manager for the past 10 seasons, has become famous—or infamous—for treating his rotation like a set of fine china, meant to be admired but rarely put to any meaningful use.

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But the Longhorns earned the No. 1 preseason spot because evaluators were blinded by the new starting quarterback with the famous last name.

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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