renowned
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of renowned
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How does renowned compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Celebrated, gushed over, and even legendary, something that's renowned is really famous. If you not only find a cure for cancer, but you also go on lots of talk shows so everyone knows who you are, then you'll be a renowned scientist. Renown comes from the Anglo-Norman for "re-name," as in repeatedly name, so something renowned is something that people are talking about, or naming, over and over. If you are a huge celebrity, people from your home town might boast, "The renowned Madame X was born here." Something renowned is really good, not just famous. Just because you make the cover of a trashy tabloid magazine doesn't mean you're a renowned actress. But if you win an Oscar, you are.
Vocabulary lists containing renowned
More Positive Words to Describe a Person
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"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 14–18
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The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
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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.
The wildfire broke out on Wednesday in the village of Saumos close to the renowned Medoc vineyards.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
The study was published in the renowned international journal Advanced Science.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026
Tana had an unusual path to becoming the restaurant owner of the renowned Hollywood red-sauce hideout.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
Alpha’s Davlantes says, “We have globally renowned learning scientists who help build Alpha’s model based on decades of foundational research,” adding, “They are part of a larger team of highly qualified academics behind the platform.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
Maybe I’d even be lucky enough to get assigned to a renowned commander like Metias did.
From "Legend" by Marie Lu
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.
