: fully or widely known

Examples of well-known in a Sentence

an anchorwoman so well-known that she passes for a local celebrity
Recent Examples on the Web
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Perhaps the most well-known is deep frying. Lindsey Desoto, Health, 13 Nov. 2025 Narrated by longtime Burns collaborator Peter Coyote, the history is also brought to life by celebrities ranging from Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep to Ethan and Maya Hawke, who voice the words of historical figures both well-known and obscure. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025 Steinberg, well-known for his illustrations for The New Yorker, is the latest artist the Belgian luxury brand has worked with, following previous collaborations with the Magritte Foundation and contemporary artist Kasper Bosmans. Kathy Lee, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2025 Pinto Beans May Help Lower Blood Pressure Legumes are well-known for their heart-protective properties, thanks to their unique combination of fiber, protein, and plant compounds. Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for well-known

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of well-known was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Well-known.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/well-known. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

well-known

adjective
ˈwel-ˈnōn
: known by many people

More from Merriam-Webster on well-known

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