famous

adjective

fa·mous | \ ˈfā-məs

Definition of famous

1a : widely known a restaurant famous for its French cuisine

b : honored for achievement a famous explorer

2 : excellent, first-rate famous weather for a walk

Other Words from famous Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about famous

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Choose the Right Synonym for famous

famous, renowned, celebrated, noted, notorious, distinguished, eminent, illustrious mean known far and wide. famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known. a famous actress renowned implies more glory and acclamation. one of the most renowned figures in sports history celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. the most celebrated beauty of her day noted suggests well-deserved public attention. the noted mystery writer notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil. a notorious gangster distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority. a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. the country's most eminent writers illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person. illustrious war heroes

Examples of famous in a Sentence

a book about some of the most famous people of the last century some truly famous Southern-style cooking

Recent Examples on the Web

Daniel, 43, is famous for his starring role in CW's The Originals. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "Hallmark Star Rachael Leigh Cook Is Separating From Her Husband Daniel Gillies," 15 June 2019 Watch an ant rip apart a spiderweb to rescue a sibling Ants are famous for putting themselves at risk for the wellbeing of their colony, but desert harvester ants are especially heroic. — Alex Fox, Science | AAAS, "Top stories: The science of false confessions, transforming blood types, and Brazil’s war on drugs," 14 June 2019 The website adds that Arranmore is famous for traditional music at their exciting pubs. — Eric Todisco, PEOPLE.com, "A Tiny Island Off the Coast of Ireland Is Asking Americans to Move There: See Photos," 14 June 2019 Chefs like Alice Waters of Chez Panisse and Rene Redzepi of Noma are famous for using them, along with other unusual botanicals. — Vogue, "Meet the Brooklyn Chef Bringing Her Etruscan Floral Style Back to Tuscany," 12 June 2019 The eastern hognose snake is famous for flipping over on its back and playing dead, the North Carolina State Parks and Recreation said. — Fox News, "‘Zombie snake’ found in North Carolina can 'play dead,' officials say," 11 June 2019 Tesla's shareholder meetings are famous for the freewheeling question-and-answer sessions CEO Elon Musk holds with investors. — Irina Ivanova, CBS News, "Elon Musk says buying a gasoline car is like "riding a horse and using a flip phone"," 11 June 2019 Windstead's in Kansas City, famous for its signature steakburgers. — Sheila Vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "What Cincinnati area restaurant chains should go national? 'Insider' picks two," 11 June 2019 The competing food companies, which have grown rapidly over the past year, might be famous for creating vegetarian burgers that look, taste, and bleed like beef. — Emily Atkin, The New Republic, "The Promise and Problem of Fake Meat," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'famous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.