famous
Americanadjective
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having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated.
a famous writer.
- Synonyms:
- illustrious, notable, famed
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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
Related Words
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
- famously adverb
- famousness noun
- overfamous adjective
- prefamous adjective
- prefamously adverb
- pseudofamous adjective
- pseudofamously adverb
- quasi-famous adjective
- quasi-famously adverb
- unfamous adjective
Etymology
Origin of famous
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin fāmōsus; fame, -ous
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.
