fame

1 of 2

noun

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The musician, who rose to fame on the arm of quick-witted bars, released back-to-back flute albums in 2023, surprising fans and critics alike who were impressed by his skills as a flautist. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 7 May 2025 The actor rose to fame as a teen heartthrob in the 1990s for his roles in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, The Virgin Suicides, and more. Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 7 May 2025
Verb
Activities and Experiences Rosewood is famed for its sense of place ethos, and here, guests are very much encouraged to get out and about to discover the city’s nearby blockbuster attractions, as well as hidden pockets. Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025 Winner: Bitdefender Firewall and Exploit Defenses Norton’s security line has long been famed for its smart firewall protection. PC Magazine, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fame

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fame was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fame. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

fame

noun
ˈfām
: the fact or condition of being known to the public : renown
famed
ˈfāmd
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on fame

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