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

But the greatest cameo in the film comes from Chuck Norris, who plays himself, as a member of the American Dodgeball Association of America (ADAA) judiciary board. —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026

The scene even features a cameo from former SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026

Acquiring a penguin must provide cameos for a joker. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2026

Bericoto, who re-signed with the Giants this offseason on a minor league deal, spent most of last season with Double-A Richmond aside from an 11-game cameo with Triple-A Sacramento. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 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