famous
[fey-muh s]
- having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated: a famous writer.
- Informal. first-rate; excellent: The singer gave a famous performance.
- notorious (used pejoratively).
Show More
Origin of famous
Synonym study
1. 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
acclaimcelebritydistinctioneminencegreatnessimmortalitynotabilitynotorietypopularitypreeminenceprestigerenownreputestardomExamples from the Web for famousness
Historical Examples
She had taken in the housemaid and small-boy view of famousness, and she was having her shallow little day of living it.
The Other GirlsMrs. A. D. T. Whitney
famous
- known to or recognized by many people; renowned
- informal excellent; splendid
- archaic of ill repute
Show More
Word Origin
C14: from Latin fāmōsus; see fame
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for famousness
famous
adj.
late 14c., from Anglo-French famous, Old French fameus (Modern French fameux), from Latin famosus "much talked of, renowned," often "infamous, notorious, of ill repute," from fama (see fame (n.)). A native word for this was Old English namcuð, literally "name-known." Catch phrase famous last words "remark likely to be proved wrong" is first attested 1948.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper