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

Los Angeles Police Department officers raided the warehouse of the famous sneaker retailer CoolKicks and detained its employees, accusing the company of buying stolen shoes.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s quite the leap for a 41-year-old first made famous for her role in the battle for academic freedom in the Middle East Studies Department at Columbia University.

From Salon

Along with the customary cardboard cut-outs and decorative gift mugs, a special exhibition stand is displaying a selection of the former Conservative prime minister's most famous outfits from her 11 years in office.

From BBC

A decade before that, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman fought the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” in what was then known as Zaire, since renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

From Salon

Once an avid heavy metal drummer, she was famous for carrying many sticks because she would break them during intense drumming.

From BBC

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