public figure

noun

: a well-known person

Examples of public figure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His process of doing so involved disparaging his accusers, browbeating people and institutions that no longer wanted to be associated with him, and refusing to accept a path that precluded a return to being a public figure. —Elizabeth Spiers, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026

Because Swift is such a recognizable public figure, Luke Arrigoni, the chief executive of Loti AI, a tech company that focuses on likeness protection, said trademark filings like these aren’t merely defensive but rather a setup for a long-term protective infrastructure. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

And all of them probably considered the potential for distraction, the attention around a significant public figure who would be fighting just to make the roster. —Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

Baldwin has also had a tumultuous time as a public figure. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026

Rhymes for public figure

• reconfigure
• configure
• disfigure
• prefigure

Legal Definition

public figure

noun

public fig·​ure

: an individual or entity that has acquired fame or notoriety or has participated in a particular public controversy see also limited purpose public figure compare public official

Note: A public figure must prove actual malice in order to prevail in a defamation action.