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 of fame

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

Centering on the rise of the band and their peak fame in the 1990s, the documentary explores the emotional aftermath of their breakout album and the pitfalls of fame that followed. —Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025

But, yes, Sutton should totally be a Brown and put some fame on that name instead of Christian’s tired old annulment-ass name. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025

Verb

Hainan, a tourist destination famed for its resorts, this week became a duty-free region and now allows foreign companies to operate in sectors there that they are barred from in mainland China. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025

The cosmic display is famed for its strong, bright and colorful fireballs that blaze across the sky at speeds reaching about 120 miles per second. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Dec. 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