fame

1 of 2

noun

ˈfām 

1

a

: public estimation : reputation

b

: popular acclaim : renown

2

archaic : rumor

fame

2 of 2

verb

famed; faming

transitive verb

1

archaic : report, repute

2

: to make famous

Synonyms

Noun

• notoriety
• celebrity
• renown
• reputation

Examples of fame in a Sentence

Noun

He died at the height of his fame.

The book tells the story of her sudden rise to fame.

He gained fame as an actor.

She went to Hollywood seeking fame and fortune.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As his fame grew — with standout roles in Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Uncle Buck — so did public scrutiny, particularly around his weight, an ever-present sensitive subject. —Lizzie Hyman, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025

And while figuring out how to deal with fame was tough, Gaga admitted that the more difficult conflict ultimately turned out to be that between Gaga and Stefani. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025

Verb

During the trial, Combs' lawyers acknowledged that the man once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez was at times violent in his relationships. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025

But in a federal courtroom in Seattle, Washington, this week, Amazon’s famed top corporate credo is going on trial. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin fama report, fame; akin to Latin fari to speak — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fame

• claim to fame
• what price glory/fame

Rhymes for fame

• aim
• blame
• brame
• came
• claim
• dame
• flame
• frame
• game
• haim
• lame
• maim

Kids Definition

fame

noun

ˈfām

: the fact or condition of being known to the public : renown

famed

ˈfāmd

adjective