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

Save for a Will Ferrell cameo and a couple appearances from boxing announcer Michael Buffer, there weren’t many crossovers in Citizens Bank Park. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026

The event is operating at a scale on par with the Super Bowl or Olympics, with multiple performances and celebrity cameos. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

Williams came on in the 83rd minute and looked quite promising, surely enough for more than a cameo in the final on Sunday. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Before focusing on politics, Mamdani pursued a rap career and had one of his songs featured in Queen of Katwe, a film Nair directed for Disney in which the future mayor also made a cameo. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 July 2026

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