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

While Archie and Lilibet stay off camera, Harry does make an on-screen cameo in the special — a sweet kitchen moment as Meghan cooks her mom Doria Ragland’s traditional Christmas Eve gumbo. —Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025

Since Maria Canals-Barrera is also returning for the third movie to once again play Mitchie's mom Connie, all signs seem to be pointing towards a possible Lovato cameo in addition to her executive producing duties. —Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025

And even in a special with an actual Taylor Swift song, the best cameos in Maron’s comedy are his cats. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025

But throughout, charming video and stills, along with current interviews, concert footage and time with his family (son-in-law actor Jason Bateman makes a vocal cameo) and beloved Bernese dogs, paint the backdrop of his momentous career. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 1 Dec. 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