cause célèbre

[kawz suh-leb-ruh, -leb, kohz sey-leb-r^uh]

noun

plural

causes célèbres 

1. any controversy that attracts great public attention, as a celebrated legal case or trial.

cause célèbre

/ koz selɛbrə, ˈkɔːz səˈlɛbrə, -ˈlɛb /

noun

1. a famous lawsuit, trial, or controversy

cause célèbre

1. A cause or issue, generally political, that arouses public opinion: “The question of the draft was a cause célèbre in the 1960s.” From French, meaning “celebrated cause.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cause célèbre¹

First recorded in 1755–65; from French: literally, “famous case”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cause célèbre¹

C19: from French: famous case

Example Sentences

Many may recall that she was briefly jailed in contempt of court, becoming a cause célèbre among anti-gay Republicans.

Read more on Slate

The issue has long been a cause celebre among the US political right as well as separatist groups in Nigeria's mostly Christian southeast who have been lobbying Washington to support their cause.

Read more on Barron's

As a kind of fulcrum for his storytelling, Mr. Davenport uses Elizabeth Bouvia, who in 1983 became a cause célèbre of the right-to-die movement.

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An average of 6.26 million viewers tuned in to watch “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” as the comedian addressed his suspension that became a free speech cause celebre, according to Nielsen.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The case of Lucy Connolly has become a cause celebre to some in the UK and beyond.

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Related Words

• hot potato 
• talk of the town www.thesaurus.com
• uproar