cameo

noun

cam·​eo ˈka-mē-ˌō 

plural cameos

1

a

: a gem carved in relief (see relief entry 1 sense 6)

especially : a small piece of sculpture on a stone or shell cut in relief in one layer with another contrasting layer serving as background

b

: a small medallion (see medallion sense 2) with a profiled head in relief

2

: a carving or sculpture made in the manner of a cameo

3

: a usually brief literary or filmic piece that brings into delicate or sharp relief the character of a person, place, or event

his cameos and short commentaries on men and manners

—R. T. Dunlop

4

: a small theatrical role usually performed by a well-known actor and often limited to a single scene

A major star appears in a cameo in the movie.

broadly : a brief appearance or role

cameo adjective

cameo verb, transitive + intransitive

Examples of cameo in a Sentence

He has a brief cameo in the film.

Recent Examples on the Web

Not to undersell the Marty supporting cast — which features Gwyneth Paltrow’s welcome return to real movies after Marvel and Mortdecai, along with a carnival of cameos, each more unwell than the last — but Chalamet seemed to be the show here. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025

Details regarding the appearance are scarce, with no confirmation on whether Gaga will make a cameo as herself or sink deeper into the role of a character. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025

Ahead of his upcoming 2026 headlining gig at the festival, for instance, Justin snapped a collection of steamy pics with Hailey in the center of Coachella Valley last month, with baby Jack making a cameo in some of them. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025

When Isak went away with Sweden last month, Slot was relieved that national team manager Jon Dahl Tomasson resisted the temptation to throw him straight in and only gave him one brief cameo appearance. —James Pearce, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English camew, from Middle French camau, kamaheu

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for cameo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

cameo

noun

cam·​eo ˈkam-ē-ˌō 

plural cameos

1

: a carved gem in which the design is higher than its background

2

: a small role (as in a movie) performed by a well-known actor