famous
Americanadjective
-
having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated.
a famous writer.
- Synonyms:
- illustrious, notable, famed
-
Informal. first-rate; excellent.
The singer gave a famous performance.
-
unfavorably known; notorious.
In my family, my uncle is famous for his bad jokes.
adjective
-
known to or recognized by many people; renowned
-
informal excellent; splendid
-
archaic of ill repute
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of famous
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin fāmōsus; see origin at fame, -ous
Explanation
Something famous is well known, usually because it's special or particularly good. Celebrities, historic paintings, and the best burger in town could all be described as famous. If something is famous, then a lot of people know about it. If you turn on the television or look at a magazine rack, you'll see plenty of famous people: movie stars, TV stars, musicians, athletes, and politicians are all famous. Lots of people want to be famous, but there are good and bad parts to it. It must be nice to be rich, but being constantly surrounded by fans and photographers can't be fun.
Vocabulary lists containing famous
Academy Awards, List 5
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"Return to Titanic" and "Talking with Robert Ballard"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Granada's famous Alhambra palace - a Unesco World Heritage Site of medieval Islamic architecture - "will remain closed this afternoon", the site administrators said.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Duane “Keffe D” Davis was indicted three years ago, making him the first person to be charged in the 1996 death of the famous rapper.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
The celebrity gossip blogger became as famous as the stars he covered before social media upended his business model.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
The extinct spadefoot toad, now named Spea labreae, represents the first new extinct amphibian species discovered from the famous fossil site.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
I let Zara go ahead of me carrying the platter of her mom’s famous shish tawook and pita, with a box of gluten-free crackers she sent special for me, while I stop at the mailbox.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
