cameo

American  

[kam-ee-oh] / ˈkæm iˌoʊ /

noun

• cameos
  plural

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cameos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cameo

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

Explanation

If your friend gives you a piece of jewelry that has a raised carving of a face in profile showing all the curves and shapes, that’s called a cameo. Often used to show a person’s head in profile, a cameo typically has two layers of color: one color for the subject and another one for the background. The detail is depicted not by color or shades but instead by the raised design, which is called a relief. A cameo is typically used for a piece of jewelry, such as a ring or a brooch, and it has an ornate, old-fashioned quality. You may have seen this type of jewelry depicted in Victorian paintings or possibly worn by your great grandmother.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cameo cameos

Of all the dullness on display at Ibrox, Cammy Devlin's five-minute cameo stood apart.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

But in “Tony” he stays behind the camera, with not even a Tarantino-style cameo.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

Even her grandson’s discarded computer parts made a cameo, a testament to Saar’s uncanny ability to mine inspiration from the most mundane objects.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

Social media users were also split, with one viewer writing that Meghan was "warm, gracious and a delight to watch" while another called Prince Harry's cameo appearance "cringe".

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

Color smudges streak around an old cameo of Daniela.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Granted, it's a limited sample size, but his cameos provided clear evidence Milosavljevic possesses the technical ability and physicality required to earn more consistent game time.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

There are cameos from the economist Ben Bernanke, Elon Musk and the PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, plus meditations on business, the environment and technology, and episodes that cover a range of 21st-century upheavals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

The superintendent himself served as the master of ceremonies, with performers weaving around him, cameos by celebrities, and slide projections and film sequences appearing on cue to supplement his applause and laugh lines.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

Relying on a trailer would be a disservice to your soul, not to mention that watching it would spoil a couple of key comedic bits and cameos that are best seen within their intended context.

From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2026

The promenades boast animated cameos and portraits of famed courtiers that wink and wave as we pass.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

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