celebrity

noun

ce·​leb·​ri·​ty sə-ˈle-brə-tē 

plural celebrities

1

: the state of being celebrated : fame

The actress lived a life of celebrity.

2

: a famous or celebrated person

Many celebrities attended the awards ceremony.

Synonyms of celebrity

• star
• personality
• celeb

Examples of celebrity in a Sentence

The actress lived a life of celebrity.

There were many celebrities at the party.

Recent Examples on the Web

Throughout the summer, celebrity beautician Iván Pol acts as resident facialist. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026

Today, few celebrities seem as knowable as Liza Minnelli. —Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026

Today, ghostwriting usually involves collaborations between professional writers and celebrities or professionals who otherwise wouldn’t have the time, skill or connections to write a book. —Emily Hodgson Anderson, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026

Through archive footage and interviews with the likes of Pelé’s daughter and Best’s son, the documentary charts how the NASL became a cultural phenomenon, blending sport, celebrity, and ambition in an American experiment to popularize the world’s game. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English celebrite "fame, renown," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French celebrité, borrowed from Latin celebritāt-, celebritās "busy or crowded conditions, reputation, fame," from celebr-, celeber "much used, frequented, widely known, famed" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at celebrate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing celebrity

• cult of celebrity
• local celebrity

Kids Definition

celebrity

noun

ce·​leb·​ri·​ty sə-ˈleb-rət-ē 

plural celebrities

1

: the state of being celebrated : fame

his short-lived celebrity

2

: a famous or celebrated person