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 her role was cut to a cameo, which can happen in the edit. —Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

So as the series finale ticked down toward its closing credits, there was no reason for fans to expect a cameo — especially from two-time Academy Award-winning actor, Cate Blanchett. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 June 2025

On June 23, the Duchess of Sussex posted a new video promoting her lifestyle brand that also featured a cameo from her daughter. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 28 June 2025

As cool as the news about the longer cut of the second movie may be, unless someone from the Marvel Universe builds a time machine, no one is ever going to see a version of the first film that came ridiculously close to happening — one which featured a cameo by Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. —Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 28 June 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