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 timing for Wintour's cameo at the Academy Award couldn't have been better, as both the Met Gala as well as The Devil Wears Prada 2 are arriving in early May. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026

Gosling returned the favor by making a cameo during Styles' episode to help introduce one of his musical performances. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026

The hype around his hosting gig has been building since it was announced, as evidenced by Ryan Gosling’s monologue last week, where Styles made a cameo and jokingly pulled focus. —Charu Sinha, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2026

After an incredible cameo from former SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, the story jumps forward three years, as Valerie is offered a starring role on the first show ever to be written by AI. —Kate Aurthur, Variety, 15 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