public figure

noun

: a well-known person

Examples of public figure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His remarks—barely five hundred words—turned him into a revered public figure. Lincoln Caplan, The New Yorker, 4 July 2024 Yet the sense of Frost as a public figure, celebrity and especially as a human being has been lost over the years. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2024 That Musk as a public figure is virtually synonymous with the businesses of X and Tesla rests at the heart of the motion, which requests that X file a certificate identifying Tesla and its shareholders as interested persons in the case. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2024 Since the 2019 interview, Prince Andrew has remained a public figure. Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for public figure 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'public figure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Public figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20figure. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

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.

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