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 Australian environmental conservationist and son of the late Steve Irwin makes a cameo voicing a koala named Robert Furwin. —Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025

Damar Hamlin even makes a cameo along with some other real life HeartMates, including MacKenzie Maddry of Bella Vista, Arkansas. —Staff Author, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025

There are plenty of other cameo appearances, too. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025

And Thursday’s collaboration goes on the list of notable Detroit music cameos, harking back to Kid Rock’s show ahead of the 2006 Super Bowl, when Bob Seger appeared onstage as a surprise guest. —Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 27 Nov. 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