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 rest of the reel included snaps from that era, including Barker pounding out some beats as Kelly looks on, the whole crew hanging in the studio, close-ups of Kelly playing the pink guitar and smoking what looks like a joint, another shot of Barker at his full kit and a cameo from Trippie Redd. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025

Directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Matthew as a wayward bus driver who rescues 22 schoolchildren, the film brings Kay back onscreen 14 years after her cameo in the 2011 black comedy Bernie — and marks Levi’s debut onscreen playing Matthew's character's son. —Andrea Mandell, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025

This is a celebrity cameo exactly for these women. —Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025

Peter Cook and Billy Crystal add zany cameos, while Peter Falk shines as a grandfatherly storyteller. —Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 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