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 singer has also voiced other characters throughout her career, including Laura in Underdogs, Snowflake in Snowflake, the White Gorilla and even had a cameo in a 2014 episode of Family Guy. —Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026

And for the fifth episode, Jimmy Fallon made cameos during Nicola Coughlan’s opening monologue and behind the news desk. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 May 2026

Right tackle Colton McKivitz praised Colby’s ability to play faster than his rookie-season cameo. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 28 May 2026

During the finale of the latest Survivor installment, The White Lotus creator revealed that Davis and Kamilla Karthigesu would pop up in cameo roles in season four. —Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 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