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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Words to Describe a Hero or Heroine
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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.
His only diversion is collecting newspaper clippings of famous people, leading him to make secret late-night forays into the archives to uncover the minutiae of their lives.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
ITV also confirmed earlier reports that singer Cheryl and rapper Aitch will join the The Voice as coaches, sitting in the show's famous giant red chairs.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
In those famous cases that led to crises, the Fed was flipping the narrative; in this case, it is simply trying to find a level of rates that would put some downward pressure on inflation.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026
Look closely at Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa, one of Japan's most famous works of art, and the brilliant whites seem almost painted onto the scene.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026
They did look alike, except for being different sizes...plus, of course, they had on the famous matching T-shirts.
From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson
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.
