fame

1 of 2

noun

ˈfām 

1

a

: public estimation : reputation

b

: popular acclaim : renown

2

archaic : rumor

fame

2 of 2

verb

famed; faming

transitive verb

1

archaic : report, repute

2

: to make famous

Synonyms of fame

Noun

• notoriety
• celebrity
• renown
• reputation

Examples of fame in a Sentence

Noun

He died at the height of his fame.

The book tells the story of her sudden rise to fame.

He gained fame as an actor.

She went to Hollywood seeking fame and fortune.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The big difference is that each fame-o will be paired with a non-famous friend or family member. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026

Latter-day stars politely shrug off the comparisons; fans are chastened by having witnessed how fame — and a craving for control — undid their favorite performer. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

The Standard Oil tycoon employed Carrère and Hastings, the firm famed for its design of The New York Public Library, to realize this 75-room, neoclassical Beaux-Arts mansion. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

While the original New York Couch Doctor (516-779-1720) is famed for disassembling bulky furniture in emergency situations 24/7, the charge is anywhere from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars. — Cassie Hurwitz, Curbed, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin fama report, fame; akin to Latin fari to speak — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fame

• claim to fame
• what price glory/fame

Rhymes for fame

• aim
• blame
• brame
• came
• claim
• dame
• flame
• frame
• game
• haim
• lame
• maim

Kids Definition

fame

noun

ˈfām

: the fact or condition of being known to the public : renown

famed

ˈfāmd

adjective