famousfa‧mous /ˈfeɪməs/ ●●● S2 W2 adjective 
a famous actor Many famous people have stayed in the hotel. The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark (=a famous place or building that is easy to recognize).famous for France is famous for its wine.famous as Virginia is famous as the birthplace of several US presidents. Da Vinci’s world-famous portrait of the Mona Lisa b)the famous [plural] people who are famous: a nightclub used by the rich and famous2 famous last words spoken used when someone has said too confidently that they can do something or that something will happenTHESAURUSfamous known about by a lot of people in many places, often all over the world: · She always wanted to be famous.· The Mona Lisa is Da Vinci’s most famous painting.well-known known about by a lot of people, especially in a particular place: · Shilpa Shetty was well-known in India, but few people in the UK had heard of her.· a well-known brand of cat foodcelebrated written very well-known and admired: · Dalí is one of Spain’s most celebrated artists.· Martin Luther King’s celebrated speechrenowned/noted famous, especially for a particular thing or activity. Noted is more formal than renowned: · The British are renowned for their love of animals.· The area is noted for its wines.· An internationally renowned chef owns the restaurant.legendary very famous and greatly admired – used especially about people who have been doing something for a long time or who have died: · the legendary blues guitarist, BB King· Her stage performances were legendary.famous because of something badnotorious /nəʊˈtɔːriəs, nə- $ noʊ-, nə-/ famous because of doing something bad: · a notorious criminal· a notorious legal caseinfamous famous because of doing something very bad, which seems immoral or evil: · the infamous attack on the World Trade Center· the infamous Jack the Ripper
WORD ORIGINfamous
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French fameus, from Latin fama; ➔ FAMEEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "David Copperfield" is one of Dickens' most famous books.
- Famous stars like Keanu Reeves and Demi Moore attended the party.
- a famous actress
- Manchester is famous for its nightlife and for its football teams.
- Rio's world-famous carnival
- The package includes a tour of Sydney's famous Opera House.
- But some people think that one famous didgeridoo player is already one too many.
- I am famous across this entire country.
- It was from the research and development section of the famous mint manufacturers.
- Symposia such as the Panofsky one could also be held there, the famous elliptical reading room would be an ideal venue.
THESAURUS
known about by a lot of people in many places, often all over the world: · She always wanted to be famous.· The Mona Lisa is Da Vinci’s most famous painting.
known about by a lot of people, especially in a particular place: · Shilpa Shetty was well-known in India, but few people in the UK had heard of her.· a well-known brand of cat food
written very well-known and admired: · Dalí is one of Spain’s most celebrated artists.· Martin Luther King’s celebrated speech
famous, especially for a particular thing or activity. Noted is more formal than renowned: · The British are renowned for their love of animals.· The area is noted for its wines.· An internationally renowned chef owns the restaurant.
very famous and greatly admired – used especially about people who have been doing something for a long time or who have died: · the legendary blues guitarist, BB King· Her stage performances were legendary.
famous because of something bad famous because of doing something bad: · a notorious criminal· a notorious legal case
famous because of doing something very bad, which seems immoral or evil: · the infamous attack on the World Trade Center· the infamous Jack the Ripper
Longman Language Activatorfamous famous people, places, books etc are known about and talked about by a lot of people in a lot of places: · Famous stars like Keanu Reeves and Demi Moore attended the party.· The package includes a tour of Sydney's famous Opera House.· "David Copperfield" is one of Dickens' most famous books.famous for: · Manchester is famous for its nightlife and for its football teams.world-famous (=famous all over the world): · Rio's world-famous carnival
famous, especially in a particular place or among a particular group of people: · She works in local radio, and is quite well known in the Houston area.· Large companies have an advantage because of their well-known brand names.well-known/well known for: · The island is well-known for its beautiful beaches.better-known/best-known: · Pat Boone is one of America's best-known Christian entertainers.
someone or something that is legendary is famous for being very special or interesting, and people like to talk or read about them: · The studio was owned by Sam Goldwyn, the legendary Hollywood producer.· The album was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road studios.
very well known, admired, and talked about by a lot of people, especially because of some special success or achievement: · Martin Luther King Jr. gave his celebrated speech before the Lincoln Memorial in 1963.· Van Gogh, perhaps Holland's most celebrated artist, died in poverty.
: noted musician/scientist/surgeon etc well known and respected because of a special ability or achievement: · The picture was taken in the mid-1880s by the noted photographer C.S. Fly.· The author quotes Stephen Jay Gould, the noted Harvard scientist, to support his theories.
famous for a particular quality or activity: · Jesse Jackson, the renowned civil rights leader, was in the city again last night.renowned for: · Barbados is renowned for the marvellous cricket players it produces.renowned as: · Renowned as a newspaper editor, Greeley ran against Grant for president in 1872.
an eminent doctor, lawyer, scientist etc is famous for being extremely successful in his or her profession and is admired and respected for this: · She's an eminent psychiatrist at the Harvard Medical School.· While he lived, Nehru remained the most eminent spokesman for the Third World.
someone who is notorious is famous because of something bad they have done: · One of Britain's most notorious criminals has escaped from prison.· Davis is a notorious woman-hater.notorious for: · English soccer fans are notorious for their drunkenness.
famous for being bad, especially for being immoral or evil: · He was a member of the regime's infamous secret police.· The night club is named after New Orleans' infamous red light district.
receiving a lot of attention in newspapers etc to receive a lot of attention, so that a lot of what you do is reported in newspapers, on television etc: · The President's family is constantly in the public eye.· Marks has kept himself in the public eye for years by filing bizarre lawsuits.
to receive a lot of attention in newspapers, on television etc, but often only for a short period of time: · The band is in the spotlight again because of its recent hit single.· How do her children feel about having a mother who's constantly in the limelight?
receiving a lot of attention from newspapers, television etc, and talked about by a lot of people: · The much talked about new museum is somewhat disappointing.· She is Australia's most talked about TV actress.
if someone's name is on everyone's lips they are very well known and talked about for a short time, usually as a result of a news story: · As a result of the scandal, the tall Texan millionaire's name was on everyone's lips.
often attracting a lot of attention because of your position in society or your job: · a high-profile civil rights lawyer· a high-profile position as Chief Executive
to become famous · Many people dream of becoming famous.· The brand name has become well known in Britain through clever advertising.become famous overnight (=very suddenly) · With the success of their first record, they became famous overnight.
to become well known, especially as a result of hard work or an unusual achievement: · Clint Eastwood first made a name for himself in the TV series "Rawhide".make your name/make a name for yourself as: · By the time he was 30, Evans had made his name as the editor of "The Sunday Times".· She is beginning to make a name for herself as a fashion designer.
to become famous, especially suddenly: · John Lydon shot to fame in the mid-1970s as Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols.· She won fame as the youngest-ever Olympic champion gymnast.
to become famous for something bad: · The director's films have achieved notoriety for their graphic depiction of violence.achieve a certain notoriety (=become slightly famous for something): · The club has achieved a certain notoriety as a meeting place for criminals and drug dealers.
to suddenly become very famous and receive a lot of attention from the newspapers, television etc, sometimes only for a short time: · The island hit the headlines last year when huge tidal waves killed 2,000 people.· The bizarre court case was shown on TV and made headlines around the world.
someone, especially a young person, who is quickly becoming more and more famous: · She's one of the rising stars of politics and an excellent public speaker.
when someone is famous the success and attention people get when they are famous: · She came to Hollywood in search of fame.at the height of somebody's fame (=when someone is most famous): · At the height of his fame, it is estimated that 500 million people watched his show.fame and fortune (=fame and money): · He never really achieved the fame and fortune he dreamed of.of television/movie/baseball etc fame (=famous because of television, films etc): · The book is about Bonnie Parker of Bonnie and Clyde fame.
when someone is very famous, especially in music, films, or sport: · Stardom is the ultimate ambition of most young singers and actors.· She feared that by having a baby she had sacrificed her chances of stardom.
written fame and admiration that someone has because of something good such as great skill, knowledge, or bravery: · The general's victories won him renown throughout the country.of great/international/high etc renown: · Speakers of international renown will attend the conference.
a famous person a very famous and successful actor, entertainer, or sports player: · Hollings' latest movie role could make her a big star.movie/rock/tennis etc star: · John Cusack is one of my favourite movie stars.· She was once married to a well-known football star.big star: · If he becomes a big TV star, we'll probably never hear from him again.
also celeb informal someone who is well known, for example as an entertainer or sports player, and who is often seen on television or written about in newspapers: · People waited outside for the chance to see some celebrities.· The bar is a good place to go if you want to spot some celebs.TV/showbusiness/media etc celebrity: · The club is popular with media celebrities and literary types.celebrity interview/photograph/biography etc: · Mattie reads mainly tabloids and celebrity biographies.celebrity golf tournament/game show (=in which celebrities take part): · Nash played in a celebrity golf tournament while in Canada.minor celebrity (=not extremely famous, popular, or successful): · Six minor celebrities took part in the charity "Big Brother" programme.
an actor, musician, or sports player who is famous all over the world: · Janet Jackson became a superstar largely because of her exciting music videos.radio/TV/basketball etc superstar: · Hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky played for L.A. before retiring.
someone who is well known because they often appear on television and at public events: · For years she was one of the best-loved personalities in the newspaper gossip columns.TV/radio/sports etc personality: · Radio personality Don Imus has gotten in trouble again for what he said on the air.
informal a famous and successful performer: · Eric Hawkins, one of the big names of modern American dance
someone who has become very famous over a long period of time, especially because they are very good at a particular activity: · Among Mexican music fans, Fernandez is a legend.living legend/legend in somebody's own lifetime (=someone who has become a legend while still alive): · Michael Jordan is a living legend of basketball.
a person, company, or product that is a household name is so famous that everyone knows their name: · Coca-Cola is a household name all over the world.make somebody/something a household name: · Ralph Nader's consumer activism has made him a household name in the U.S.
not famous not at all famous: · As an unknown author, it isn't easy to get your work published.· Horn was beaten by a relatively unknown politician in the last election.
someone or something that is obscure is known about only by a few people, because they belong to a group, place, or subject that not many people know about or are interested in: · He's using an obscure old law to try to stop the new road being built.· The lines were written by an obscure English poet named Mordaunt.
someone who is very ordinary and not at all famous or important: · After all her hard work, she didn't want to end up just a nobody.· A lot of the rich people who come in here treat us like nobodies.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark (=a famous place or building that is easy to recognize). Da Vinci’s world-famous portrait of the Mona Lisa a nightclub used by the rich and famousCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Bistro Roti is a deservedly popular restaurant. an internationally famous sculptor
The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark (=a famous place or building that is easy to recognize). Da Vinci’s world-famous portrait of the Mona Lisa a nightclub used by the rich and famous· I’d really like to be a famous actor.
· The famous author Henry James lived here.
Bistro Roti is a deservedly popular restaurant. an internationally famous sculptor· The Eiffel Tower is probably the most famous landmark in Paris.
· We all hear the phrase "greenhouse gasses", but do you know what it really means?
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· It was the best private house in Hochhauser, and after all, he was an internationally famous name.· When she retired, she was still internationally famous.· The museum directed the field research on the nearby internationally famous archaeological site of Vucedol.· Yet she was pardoned, because she was an internationally famous actress.· Nearly all the internationally famous players had agreed to participate.
· He resented Michael Banks, but no more than he resented anyone else more famous than he was.· Then a more famous ex-NBA player-Magic Johnsonthrew his hat in the ring.· Dolly is more famous, but Megan and Morag were the real pioneers.· A more famous slide can be seen below the Middle Brothers Peak on the north valley rim.· Kylie is an approachable star but with glamour that grows as she becomes more famous.· He became more famous than ever.· It was to be brewed in Bangalore, then more famous for its beer than its software specialists.· It got written up in Details and now is more famous than ever.
· It was first suggested by one of the world's most famous scientists, Albert Einstein, in 1907.· It has become the most famous and hotly disputed California ballot measure since Proposition 13 cut property taxes in 1978.· The most famous political pendulum is NguzaKarl-IBond.· While this longitudinal study is one of the most famous, it is by no means the only one.· One of the most famous of the blennies is the rock skipper, or zebra blenny.
NOUN· Perhaps the most famous example of a re-creation gone astray took place in July 1989.· These two famous examples in Rome illustrate the general layout of the extensive type of baths.· Two other famous examples suffered in the Second World War.
· You didn't have to be a client or a famous face to be on the receiving end.· Harriet Shakespeare was a real person, but perhaps Hank was only a part of himself, given a famous face.· There were famous faces and VIPs everywhere.· And that's when she bumped into a couple of famous faces.· And here is the newsreader: A famous face ... in musical mood.· She shakes her head with disbelief and that famous face blushes scarlet once more.· The most famous face of all has slipped in during the seemingly inexorable rise in predicted numbers of Conservative seats.
· The island looms larger until we sight its famous landmark, the Abbey - grey, formidable, not at all picturesque.· What famous landmarks will you pass?· For he is responsible for maintaining the sophisticated plumbing system inside the famous landmark.· The century-old tower, one of Middlesbrough's most famous landmarks, is crumbling and needs more than £40,000-worth of repair work.· Read in studio One of the region's most famous landmarks is celebrating its five hundredth birthday.
· Building a reputation is extremely difficult unless you have a famous name coming from a famous relative.· I hope that the Minister will do all that he can to protect that most famous name in the industry.· Inpart, the fading lustre of famous names can be blamed on the economic downturn of the 1990s.· Over 100 rods turned out or the day, including some famous names from the fishing world.· It was the best private house in Hochhauser, and after all, he was an internationally famous name.· On the tombstones in the churchyard will be found many famous names and some grotesque designs.
· The publication of correspondence between famous people has been used for many years for the purposes of scholastic enquiry.· An illustration of this can be found in the funerals of very famous people conducted with great pomp and circumstance.· The poems above are not by famous people.· Anyway, lots of really famous people had illegitimate children.· Students may study how famous people learned to cope with and benefit from failure.· He is one of Britain's most respected broadcasters and has interviewed a string of famous people from senior politicians to royalty.· They launched what they refer to as the milk mustache campaign using ads of famous people with milk mustaches in their ads.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► the famous
- So he said, with those famous last words, "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
WORD FAMILYadjectivefamedfamousinfamousadverbfamouslyinfamouslynounfame
1 a)known about by many people in many places: a famous actor Many famous people have stayed in the hotel. The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark (=a famous place or building that is easy to recognize).famous for France is famous for its wine.famous as Virginia is famous as the birthplace of several US presidents. Da Vinci’s world-famous portrait of the Mona Lisa b)the famous [plural] people who are famous: a nightclub used by the rich and famous2 famous last words spoken used when someone has said too confidently that they can do something or that something will happenTHESAURUSfamous known about by a lot of people in many places, often all over the world: · She always wanted to be famous.· The Mona Lisa is Da Vinci’s most famous painting.well-known known about by a lot of people, especially in a particular place: · Shilpa Shetty was well-known in India, but few people in the UK had heard of her.· a well-known brand of cat foodcelebrated written very well-known and admired: · Dalí is one of Spain’s most celebrated artists.· Martin Luther King’s celebrated speechrenowned/noted famous, especially for a particular thing or activity. Noted is more formal than renowned: · The British are renowned for their love of animals.· The area is noted for its wines.· An internationally renowned chef owns the restaurant.legendary very famous and greatly admired – used especially about people who have been doing something for a long time or who have died: · the legendary blues guitarist, BB King· Her stage performances were legendary.famous because of something badnotorious /nəʊˈtɔːriəs, nə- $ noʊ-, nə-/ famous because of doing something bad: · a notorious criminal· a notorious legal caseinfamous famous because of doing something very bad, which seems immoral or evil: · the infamous attack on the World Trade Center· the infamous Jack the Ripper