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

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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

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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

Think Jerky is trying to build and expand a sustainable business after a cameo by its sriracha honey turkey jerky made it a viral hit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026

Following the cameo, online sales of the sriracha flavor jumped 345% on the company’s website, worth about $25,000 in additional sales.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

He'd hoped to watch other streamers react to the blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo, but says many of his friends missed it.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

"I will always represent my country to the best of my ability," Lewis said of his two-try cameo in Perth.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

The cameo at her throat was the size of a stove lid.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck

Jolly now appears on Muse billboards in New York and San Francisco, and makes cameos in Muse TV commercials.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

And just as there are occasional celebrity cameos at a Trump rally, there was one at the midterm convention, where early-aughts comic Adam Carolla did a routine.

From Slate ● Sep. 10, 2026

She had memorable cameos on TV shows like “Designing Women.”

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026

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

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

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

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Related Words

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

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