cause célèbre

cause cé·lè·bre

noun
\ˌkȯz-sə-ˈleb, -ˈle-brə, ˌkōz-, -ˈlebr^ə\

plural causes cé·lè·bres also causes celebres\same\

Definition of CAUSE CÉLÈBRE

1

: a legal case that excites widespread interest

2

: a notorious person, thing, incident, or episode

Variants of CAUSE CÉLÈBRE

cause cé·lè·bre also cause ce·le·bre \ˌkȯz-sə-ˈleb, -ˈle-brə, ˌkōz-, -ˈlebr^ə\

Examples of CAUSE CÉLÈBRE

1. <a cause célèbre from some reality TV show whose fame hadn't even lasted the proverbial 15 minutes>

Origin of CAUSE CÉLÈBRE

French, literally, celebrated case

First Known Use: 1763

Related to CAUSE CÉLÈBRE

Synonyms: big name, celebrity (also cause celebre), celeb, figure, icon (also ikon), light, luminary, megastar, name, notability, notable, notoriety, personage, personality, somebody, standout, star, superstar, VIP

Antonyms: nobody, noncelebrity

Related Words: favorite, heartthrob, hero, idol; demigod, dignitary, eminence, immortal, monument, pillar, worthy; baron, big shot, bigwig, kahuna, magnate, mogul, nabob, panjandrum

Near Antonyms: lightweight, mediocrity; has-been

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Rhymes with CAUSE CÉLÈBRE

Johnny Reb, spiderweb, World Wide Web