The meaning of the word famous

1

a

: widely known

a restaurant famous for its French cuisine

b

: honored for achievement

Synonyms

Choose the Right Synonym for famous

renowned implies more glory and acclamation.



one of the most renowned figures in sports history

celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.



the most celebrated beauty of her day

noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.

distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.



a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.



the country’s most eminent writers

illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

Example Sentences



a book about some of the most famous people of the last century



the review gushed that the restaurant offered some truly famous Southern-style cooking

Recent Examples on the Web

Recently, the brand announced the Ruggable x Jean-Michael Basquiat Collection, where many of the artist’s most famous works can be found in a number of contemporary rug styles.


—John Thompson, menshealth.com, 5 Apr. 2023




In 2021, scientists from the Face Lab at Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom recreated the face of Ramses II, arguably ancient Egypt’s most famous pharaoh, who reigned from 1279 to 1213 BCE.


—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 5 Apr. 2023




Other shiba inu images have appeared in doge memes, but Kabosu is arguably the most famous.


—Julian Mark, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Apr. 2023




The most famous video game designer in the world is sitting meditatively in a drab studio in Burbank.


—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 4 Apr. 2023




The Louisville men’s basketball team will be put to the test early in Year 2 under Kenny Payne at one of the world’s most famous venues.


—The Courier-Journal, 4 Apr. 2023




An iconic role which spawned one of the most famous movie posters ever.


—Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2023




Lastly, Waiʻoli Beach Park, located along the southern part of Hanalei Bay, is home to one of Hawaii’s most famous surf breaks: Pine Trees.


—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2023




The auction house has gathered an impressive array of 99 cars, many with competition provenance, like the world’s most famous Austin Healey—known as URX—previously featured by Robb Report on March 13.


—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2023


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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘famous.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin famosus, from fama fame

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of famous was
in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near famous

Cite this Entry

“Famous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/famous. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.

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More from Merriam-Webster on famous

Last Updated:
6 Apr 2023
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Merriam-Webster unabridged

Источник

This mortal combat ­between Communism and liberal democracy produced a vast literature, some books famous in their day, some ­famous still. ❋ Unknown (2009)

England that his progenitors, that is to say, the Kings of England who had preceded him, were famous — mark the word — «_famous_ for the ❋ Unknown (1889)

A further five three-star restaurants are located in Osaka, a city renowned as the birthplace of «okonomiyaki» — a kind of pancake cooked on a hotplate table — while a further two top-starred eateries are in Kobe, a name famous for its associations with high-quality beef. ❋ Telegraph Staff (2011)

Since Prince owns the rights to the name «the Time,» the Minneapolis men who made the moniker famous were forced to use a different appellation for this year’s album, «Condensate.» ❋ Unknown (2011)

In the old days, when Kathy Kolbe’s father was creating the test that would later stir controversy and make his name famous among most NFL fans, young Kathy had no problem challenging Eldon Wonderlic’s creation. ❋ Unknown (2011)

In his show Tuesday, he cut padded fabrics into bulging jackets, recalling the cocoon shape that made the label famous decades ago. ❋ Unknown (2007)

“The enthusiasm with which his lecture was everywhere greeted is still ringing throughout California, and now, that his foot is on his native heath, we may expect to see the very mountains shake with a tempest of applause,” cried the Territorial Enterprise,5 making sure to add that the Enterprise was where Sam Clemens had christened the name Mark Twain “and developed that rich and inexhaustible vein of humor which has made the title famous.” ❋ Ron Powers (2005)

He ticked off some names, an impressive lists, lists Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Truman, all what he called famous names of people who were in the Guard just like he has. ❋ Unknown (2004)

Life in the big city among the famous is apparently the same regardless of the big city in question. ❋ Unknown (2001)

Meanwhile, on the other side of Sloane Street, another Italian label famous for its use of fur, Fendi, were holding their store opening, too. ❋ Unknown (2011)

Schlesak, a German-Romanian poet and essayist, sets his «documentary novel» in what he calls the «famous ashen gray zone» where lines blurred between jailers and prisoners, doctors and «inmates,» masters and slaves. ❋ Unknown (2011)

Che’s face has become so popular that Crowley sought an alternative to what he calls the famous «overworked image» for the V&A exhibition. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Hugh Jackman admits Twitter gaffe — Hugh Jackman has admitted that staff update his Twitter account following a gaffe in which he called a famous Australian landmark the Sydney Opera Center. ❋ Unknown (2009)

[I never thought] that the [streaking] [incident] at the football game would make me famous, but everybody remembers my face ❋ Richard H (2008)

[Trevor’s] famous for [locking]/[popping] ❋ Lil One (2003)

[Pat]: [What are we] doing tonight?
[Trent]: Getting famous. ❋ Heath Gandy (2006)

The famousjobs that [Kyle] [can do]. ❋ Larstait (2003)

Omg is that [Angelina Jolie] she is [soo] famous, [I love her]! ❋ Alexia Lynn (2007)

I [remembered] how much I [hated] [Doo Doo] Mike last week when he got me famous and made me watch cartoons with him. ❋ Wes Sebastian (2004)

I’m more famous than I’ve ever been, [since] that [bastard] [left the building] ❋ Margretdean (2010)

You’re [setting yourself up] for [failure] by being too famous. ❋ Doomhammr (2006)

Hey [have you heard about] this [new] [famous] person. ❋ KassWritesDefinitions (2021)

«Dude! I [looked] that guy up on [Wikipedia]; he really is [famous]!» ❋ Ravenwolf (2008)

Источник

  • 1
    famous

    1) знамени́тый, изве́стный, просла́вленный, сла́вный;

    to be famous for smth. сла́виться чем-л.

    2)

    разг.

    отли́чный, замеча́тельный;

    Англо-русский словарь Мюллера > famous

  • 2
    famous

    Персональный Сократ > famous

  • 3
    famous

    ˈfeɪməs прил.
    1) видный, выдающийся, знаменитый, известный, прославленный, славный (as;
    for) to become famous for ≈ стать, сделаться знаменитым ( чем-л.) famous writer ≈ известный писатель famous picture ≈ знаменитая картина He is famous as an actor. ≈ Он известен как актер. The city is famous for its museums. ≈ Город славится своими музеями. Syn: celebrated, noted, notorious, renowned, illustrious Ant: fugitive, inglorious, obscure, unknown
    2) разг. превосходный, замечательный, отличный That was a famous victory. ≈ Это была замечательная победа. Syn: excellent, grand
    1., magnificent, splendid
    знаменитый, прославленный, славный, известный — he is a * explorer он знаменитый исследователь — a town * for its monuments город, славящийся своими памятниками — to be * for smth. быть известным /славиться/ чем-л. (разговорное) отличный, превосходный — that’s *! великолепно! — he has a * appetite у него великолепный аппетит — * weather for a swim дивная погода для купания
    famous знаменитый, известный, прославленный, славный;
    world famous всемирно известный;
    to be famous (for smth.) славиться (чем-л.)
    famous знаменитый, известный, прославленный, славный;
    world famous всемирно известный;
    to be famous (for smth.) славиться (чем-л.) ~ разг. отличный, замечательный;
    he has a famous appetite у него замечательный аппетит;
    that’s famous! блестяще!, отлично! for: ~ prep из-за, за, по причине, вследствие;
    for joy от радости;
    to dance for joy плясать от радости;
    for many reasons по многим причинам;
    famous (for smth.) знаменитый (чем-л.)
    ~ разг. отличный, замечательный;
    he has a famous appetite у него замечательный аппетит;
    that’s famous! блестяще!, отлично!
    ~ разг. отличный, замечательный;
    he has a famous appetite у него замечательный аппетит;
    that’s famous! блестяще!, отлично!
    famous знаменитый, известный, прославленный, славный;
    world famous всемирно известный;
    to be famous (for smth.) славиться (чем-л.)

    Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь > famous

  • 4
    famous

    [ˈfeɪməs]

    famous знаменитый, известный, прославленный, славный; world famous всемирно известный; to be famous (for smth.) славиться (чем-л.) famous знаменитый, известный, прославленный, славный; world famous всемирно известный; to be famous (for smth.) славиться (чем-л.) famous разг. отличный, замечательный; he has a famous appetite у него замечательный аппетит; that’s famous! блестяще!, отлично! for: famous prep из-за, за, по причине, вследствие; for joy от радости; to dance for joy плясать от радости; for many reasons по многим причинам; famous (for smth.) знаменитый (чем-л.) famous разг. отличный, замечательный; he has a famous appetite у него замечательный аппетит; that’s famous! блестяще!, отлично! famous разг. отличный, замечательный; he has a famous appetite у него замечательный аппетит; that’s famous! блестяще!, отлично! famous знаменитый, известный, прославленный, славный; world famous всемирно известный; to be famous (for smth.) славиться (чем-л.)

    English-Russian short dictionary > famous

  • 5
    famous

    Англо-русский синонимический словарь > famous

  • 6
    famous

    1. a знаменитый, прославленный, славный, известный

    2. a разг. отличный, превосходный

    Синонимический ряд:

    1. celebrated (adj.) acclaimed; celebrated; celebrious; distinguished; eminent; famed; great; honored; illustrious; important; infamous; leading; notable; noted; notorious; popular; pre-eminent; prestigious; prominent; redoubtable; renowned; well-known

    2. excellent (adj.) A1; bang-up; banner; blue-ribbon; bully; capital; champion; classic; classical; excellent; fine; first-class; first-rate; first-string; five-star; front-rank; Grade A; number one; par excellence; prime; quality; royal; skookum; sovereign; stunning; superior; top; top-notch; whiz-bang

    Антонимический ряд:

    infamous; obscure; undistinguished; unknown; unsung

    English-Russian base dictionary > famous

  • 7
    famous

    [ʹfeıməs]

    1. знаменитый, прославленный, славный, известный

    he is a famous explorer [writer, painter] — он знаменитый исследователь [писатель, художник]

    a town famous for its monuments — город, славящийся своими памятниками

    to be famous for smth. — быть известным /славиться/ чем-л.

    2.

    отличный, превосходный

    that’s famous! — великолепно!

    famous weather for a swim [a walk] — дивная погода для купания [для прогулки]

    НБАРС > famous

  • 8
    famous

    [‘feɪməs]

    прил.

    1) видный, выдающийся, знаменитый, известный, прославленный, славный

    He is famous as an actor. — Он известен как актёр.

    The city is famous for its museums. — Город славится своими музеями.

    Syn:

    Ant:

    2)

    разг.

    превосходный, замечательный, отличный

    That was a famous victory. — Это была замечательная победа.

    Syn:

    Англо-русский современный словарь > famous

  • 9
    famous

    [‘feɪməs]

    adj

    знаменитый, известный, прославленный

    This place is famous for its climate. — Это место славится своим климатом.

    The city is famous for its museums. — Город славится своими музеями

    — famous man


    — famous writer
    — famous book
    — be famous for smth

    English-Russian combinatory dictionary > famous

  • 10
    famous

    adjective

    1) знаменитый, известный, прославленный, славный; world famous всемирно известный; to be famous for smth. славиться чем-л.

    2)

    collocation

    отличный, замечательный; he has a famous appetite у него замечательный аппетит; that’s famous! блестяще!, отлично!

    Syn:

    celebrated, noted, notorious, renowned

    Ant:

    fugitive, inglorious, obscure, unknown

    * * *

    (a) знаменитый

    * * *

    * * *

    [fa·mous || ‘feɪməs]
    знаменитый, прославленный, славный, известный, отличный, замечательный, отменный

    * * *

    ведомый

    достославный

    заведомый

    замечательный

    знаменит

    знаменитый

    известен

    известный

    небезызвестен

    небезызвестный

    прославленный

    славный

    * * *

    1) видный, выдающийся, знаменитый, известный, прославленный, славный (as; for)
    2) разг. превосходный

    Новый англо-русский словарь > famous

  • 11
    famous

    [‘feɪməs]

    adj

    1) знаменитый; прославленный

    2) первоклассный, превосходный

    2000 самых употребительных английских слов > famous

  • 12
    famous

    Politics english-russian dictionary > famous

  • 13
    famous

    English-Russian phrases dictionary > famous

  • 14
    famous

    ˈfeɪməsзнаменитый, прославленный, известный

    Англо-русский словарь экономических терминов > famous

  • 15
    famous

    1) известный

    2) знаменитый

    Англо-русский технический словарь > famous

  • 16
    FAMOUS

    Англо-русский словарь по экологии > FAMOUS

  • 17
    FAMOUS

    Универсальный англо-русский словарь > FAMOUS

  • 18
    famous

    Универсальный англо-русский словарь > famous

  • 19
    famous

    [`feɪməs]

    видный, выдающийся, знаменитый, известный, прославленный, славный

    превосходный, замечательный, отличный

    Англо-русский большой универсальный переводческий словарь > famous

  • 20
    famous

    знаменитый; известный; прославленный; славный

    English-Russian dictionary of technical terms > famous

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См. также в других словарях:

  • famous — famous, famed, renowned, celebrated, eminent, illustrious are comparable when meaning known far and wide among men. Famous and famed apply chiefly to men, events, and things that are much talked of or are widely or popularly known throughout a… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Famous — Fa mous, a. [L. famosus, fr. fama fame: cf. F. fameux. See {Fame}.] Celebrated in fame or public report; renowned; mach talked of; distinguished in story; used in either a good or a bad sense, chiefly the former; often followed by for; as, famous …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Famous — steht für Almost Famous Film von Cameron Crowe Nathan’s Famous, US Restaurantkette The Famous Five, historische Frauengruppe Famous 5, Originaltitel v. Fünf Freunde für alle Fälle FAMOUS steht für: French American Mid Ocean Undersea Study,… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Famous — Album par Puddle of Mudd Sortie 9 octobre 2007 Enregistrement 2007 Durée 38 min 29 s Genre Rock alternatif, post grunge …   Wikipédia en Français

  • famous — late 14c., from Anglo Fr. famous, from O.Fr. fameus (Mod.Fr. fameux), from L. famosus much talked of, renowned, often infamous, notorious, of ill repute, from fama (see FAME (Cf. fame)). A native word for this was O.E. namcuð, lit. name known.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • famous — [fā′məs] adj. [ME < L famosus < fama: see FAME] 1. much talked about; having fame, or celebrity; renowned 2. Informal excellent; very good; first rate 3. Archaic notorious SYN. FAMOUS is applied to persons or things that have received wide… …   English World dictionary

  • famous — I adjective acclaimed, applauded, celeber, celebrated, celebrated in public, conspicuous, distinguished, elevated, eminent, esteemed, exalted, fabled, famed, foremost, glorified, glorious, held in high esteem, highly reputed, holding public… …   Law dictionary

  • famous — [adj] legendary, notable to many acclaimed, applauded, august, brilliant, celebrated, conspicuous, distinguished, elevated, eminent, exalted, excellent, extraordinary, foremost, glorious, grand, great, honored, illustrious, important, imposing,… …   New thesaurus

  • famous — ► ADJECTIVE 1) known about by many people. 2) informal magnificent. DERIVATIVES famously adverb famousness noun. ORIGIN Latin famosus, from fama fame …   English terms dictionary

  • famous — fa|mous W2S2 [ˈfeıməs] adj [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: fameus, from Latin fama; FAME] 1.) a) known about by many people in many places ▪ a famous actor ▪ Many famous people have stayed in the hotel. ▪ The Eiffel Tower is a famou …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • famous — adjective 1 known about and talked about by many people in many places: a famous actor (+ for): France is famous for its wine. (+ as): Virginia is famous as the birthplace of several US presidents. | world famous (=famous all over the world): Da… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

Источник

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.

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘famous’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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Источник

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  • British

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

adjective

having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated: a famous writer.

unfavorably known; notorious: In my family, my uncle is famous for his bad jokes.

QUIZ

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Origin of famous

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin fāmōsus; see origin at fame, -ous

synonym study for famous

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM famous

fa·mous·ly, adverbfa·mous·ness, nouno·ver·fa·mous, adjectivepre·fa·mous, adjective

pre·fa·mous·ly, adverbpseu·do·fa·mous, adjectivepseu·do·fa·mous·ly, adverbquasi-famous, adjectivequa·si-fa·mous·ly, adverbun·fa·mous, adjective

Words nearby famous

family values, family way, famine, famish, famished, famous, famous last words, famously, famulus, fan, fana

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to famous

acclaimed, brilliant, distinguished, eminent, excellent, glorious, grand, great, honored, illustrious, important, influential, leading, memorable, noted, notorious, outstanding, powerful, preeminent, prominent

How to use famous in a sentence

  • Ratched’s famous keychain is a link between Fletcher and Paulson.

  • For proof of concept, they decided to digitally reproduce Dutch master Johannes Vermeer’s famous painting Girl With a Pearl Earring—just painted in light instead of pigment.

  • The Fifth isn’t just a famous melody — it’s a story of despair, Beethoven’s deafness, and establishing the will to go on.

  • Dan’s view that the main thing in universal grammar—following on a famous paper by Hauser, Chomsky, and Fitch—is something like Merge.

  • There are open-source programs people can access for free online, and as far as finding video footage of famous people—well, we’ve got YouTube to thank for how easy that is.

  • As anybody who has seen his now famous rant on Parks and Recreation knows, Patton Oswalt can get a little obsessed.

  • The film has one of the most famous violent sequences of all time.

  • Still, I wish that DuVernay had given us more about those who are less famous besides a scene where they all eat dinner together.

  • But the authority of his name far exceeds that of our own, famous or obscure though we be.

  • One of the most famous directors of this era was Shin Sang-ok (신상옥).

  • About this time the famous Philippine painter, Juan Luna (vide p. 195), was released after six monthsʼ imprisonment as a suspect.

  • It was at this parliament that the famous acts against horse racing and deceitful gaming were passed.

  • Sir Cadge was about the same age as the famous beauty, and rose quite two inches above her lofty head.

  • After her marriage to Eugène Manet she came under the influence of his famous brother, Édouard.

  • He plays beautifully, and was trained in the famous Brussels conservatory, of which Dupont is the head.

British Dictionary definitions for famous

adjective

known to or recognized by many people; renowned

informal excellent; splendid

archaic of ill repute

Derived forms of famous

famousness, noun

Word Origin for famous

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

Источник

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