famous

1 of 2

adjective

fa·​mous ˈfā-məs 

1

a

: widely known

a restaurant famous for its French cuisine

b

: honored for achievement

a famous explorer

2

: excellent, first-rate

famous weather for a walk

famousness noun

famousness

2 of 2

noun

fa·​mous·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being famous

Synonyms of famous

Adjective

• famed
• celebrated
• prominent
• renowned
• notorious
• infamous

Choose the Right Synonym for famous

famous, renowned, celebrated, noted, notorious, distinguished, eminent, illustrious mean known far and wide.

famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

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.

the noted mystery writer

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

a notorious gangster

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.

illustrious war heroes

Examples of famous in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Celebrity has always been commercial, and famous people have always converted attention into money. — Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026

These waves destroyed a large section of the famous Santa Monica Pier and caused widespread coastal flooding in San Francisco Bay communities. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Built in 1884 to serve the area’s booming silver mines, the narrow-gauge railroad climbs nearly 600 feet in just two miles, crossing the famous Devil’s Gate High Bridge before reaching the historic mining town of Silver Plume. — Jocelyn Rowley, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026

Yosemite National Park, California Best known for its multitude of waterfalls and famous granite formations, Yosemite National Park in California is one of America’s oldest and most beloved national parks. — Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Phrases Containing famous

• world-famous

Rhymes for famous

• amos
• ramus
• shamus
• ignoramus
• mandamus

Kids Definition

famous

adjective

fa·​mous ˈfā-məs 

1

: much talked about : very well-known

famous explorer

2

: excellent

famous weather for a picnic