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

Famed writer and director David Mamet, who cameos in Marty Supreme, is also said to have attended Marty's clubs. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026

Bakwa had an impressive cameo as a substitute against Everton recently, but lacked the same drive against the Championship club last night. —Paul Taylor, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026

In a cameo in last year’s Happy Gilmore 2, the Cleveland Heights, Ohio product stood out, the movie’s director told PEOPLE. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

At one point, the couple’s dog Pula made a sweet cameo appearance as Harry and Meghan participated in the call from their Montecito, California home. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 8 Jan. 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