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

Louder Than Fear, directed by Justin Krook and Michael Dwyer, documents the star’s journey to fame and his personal battles, including the aftermath of his 2008 private plane crash. — Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

Her co-star here is Gillian Anderson, of course of X-Files fame, but also a star in Sex Education and Hannibal. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

The backstory Mount Igeldo is famed as the spot where the privileged hide away from it all. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

Reigns’ famed 1,316-day reign ranks above only Hulk Hogan, Bob Backlund and Bruno Sammartino as one of the longest reigns of all time. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

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