celebrity

noun

ce·​leb·​ri·​ty sə-ˈle-brə-tē 

plural celebrities

1

: the state of being celebrated : fame

The actress lived a life of celebrity.

2

: a famous or celebrated person

Many celebrities attended the awards ceremony.

Synonyms

• cause célèbre
• cause celebre
• celeb
• figure
• icon
• ikon
• light
• luminary
• megastar
• name
• notability
• notable
• notoriety
• personage
• personality
• somebody
• standout
• star
• superstar
• VIP

Examples of celebrity in a Sentence

The actress lived a life of celebrity.

There were many celebrities at the party.

Recent Examples on the Web

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. —Jenny Haward, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024

Biden spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu three days after a team from celebrity chef Jose Andres' World Central Kitchen aid group were killed in an Israeli drone strike in Northern Gaza. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024

His debut show in Paris garnered hundreds of attendees including celebrities like Beyoncé and Jay-Z. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024

Trending on Billboard After lunch in one of Aulani’s many outdoor restaurants, the first stop was a grassy area where celebrity mentor Jelly Roll was coaching 15-year-old Triston Harper from Macintosh, Ala. —Fred Bronson, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024

And there’s something quite exciting about the celebrity not being able to prepare anything, not knowing what’s going to come next. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024

The geek chic specs have been on the come-up since Miu Miu’s fall 2023 show, with celebrities including Bella Hadid, Emma Chamberlain, Doja Cat, and Renée Rapp all trying them out. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024

One of those features is the blue check mark icon that previously served as an indicator of real accounts belonging to celebrities, journalists, influencers and other public figures. —Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024

Bony Levy Seen on celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter and SZA, Bony Levy crafts gold and diamond jewelry exclusively for Nordstrom. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English celebrite "fame, renown," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French celebrité, borrowed from Latin celebritāt-, celebritās "busy or crowded conditions, reputation, fame," from celebr-, celeber "much used, frequented, widely known, famed" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at celebrate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing celebrity

• local celebrity
• cult of celebrity

Kids Definition

celebrity

noun

ce·​leb·​ri·​ty sə-ˈleb-rət-ē 

plural celebrities

1

: the state of being celebrated : fame

his short-lived celebrity

2

: a famous or celebrated person