renown
Americannoun
-
widespread and high repute; fame.
- Synonyms:
- eminence, note, distinction, glory, celebrity
-
Obsolete. report or rumor.
noun
Other Word Forms
- renownless adjective
Etymology
Origin of renown
1300–50; Middle English renoun < Anglo-French; Old French renom, derivative of renomer to make famous < Latin re- re- + nōmināre to name
Compare meaning
How does renown compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Renown is fame and acclaim — the kind of celebrity that most people only dream about. Renown is not only about celebrity, though; it also means being highly respected in one's field. Actors, musicians, and artists practice their art, sometimes for many years, to gain the kind of renown, or fame, that will launch their faces onto the covers of magazines and make their name known in every household. Greta Garbo, Luciano Pavarotti, and Salvador Dali all became renowned in their respective fields. They won numerous awards, and who isn't familiar with their names? Even things or places can achieve renown if they offer something worth celebrating. An ice cream parlor can become renowned for its incredible mint chip ice cream, or a bank can be renowned for its excellent customer service.
Vocabulary lists containing renown
Hamilton
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Beowulf vocabulary
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Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech
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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 renown grew after the Everest climb and he fostered a close friendship with the Kennedy family.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
Ms. Gage rightly contends that this region deserves more renown than it often gets.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
He won renown as one of the key figures in the new wave of Iranian cinema.
From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025
It was during his think-tank stint that Hassett wrote the work that probably gained him the most renown before his current job in the White House.
From Barron's • Dec. 11, 2025
Foremost went twelve of the king’s household-men, Riders of renown.
From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien
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.
