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

The Emmy winner had a fun cameo in the second episode of the series as the beloved father of Anne, who is inspired by the character played by Sandy Dennis in the movie. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 1 May 2025

The video is loosely inspired by Rodriguez’s 1996 classic From Dusk Till Dawn, with Danny Trejo reprising his role as a bouncer — Wolfgang’s mom, Valerie Bertinelli, also has a cameo. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2025

Still, the veteran cast and Erika Henningsen, as a radiant late arrival to the tightly knit group, often sparkle and an Alda cameo certainly warms the heart. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 1 May 2025

The Row’s ’90s Bag makes a second cameo for a subtle finishing touch. —Talia Abbas, Vogue, 30 Apr. 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