A cameo is a short description or piece of acting which expresses cleverly and neatly the nature of a situation, event, or person's character.
...a succession of memorable cameos of Scottish history.
He played a cameo role, that of a young cancer patient in hospital.
2. countable noun
A cameo is a piece of jewellery, usually oval in shape, consisting of a raised stone figure or design fixed on to a flat stone of another colour.
...a cameo brooch.
cameo in British English
(ˈkæmɪˌəʊ)
nounWord forms: pluralcameos
1.
a.
a medallion, as on a brooch or ring, with a profile head carved in relief
b.
(as modifier)
a cameo necklace
2.
an engraving upon a gem or other stone of at least two differently coloured layers, such as sardonyx, so carved that the background is of a different colour from the raised design
3.
a stone with such an engraving
4.
a.
a single and often brief dramatic scene played by a well-known actor or actress in a film or television play
b.
(as modifier)
a cameo role
5.
a.
a short literary work or dramatic sketch
b.
(as modifier)
a cameo sketch
Word origin
C15: from Italian cammeo, of uncertain origin
cameo in American English
(ˈkæmiˌoʊ)
nounWord forms: pluralˈcameˌos
1.
a carving in relief on certain stratified gems (sardonyx, agate, etc.) or shells so that the raised design, often a head in profile, is usually in a layer of differentcolor from its background
see also intaglio
2.
a gem, shell, etc. so carved
3.
a.
a minor but well-defined role in a play, film, etc., esp. when performed by a notable actor
b.
a fine bit of descriptive writing
Word origin
It cammeo < ML camaeus, camahutus; ult. < ? Pers chumāhän, agate
Examples of 'cameo' in a sentence
cameo
Each character playing a cameo in the stories will in turn get an episode about their own drama.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
His first 30 minutes were up there with the great cameo performances.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
At the climax, the man himself makes a cameo.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was also the day that her cameo performance was aired.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is a cameo role, and quite possibly symbolic.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He might make a cameo, maybe.
The Sun (2012)
I'd forgotten he had a cameo in the film.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He'll make a cameo role playing a character called Brad.
The Sun (2012)
There is be no cameo performance or lap of honour - he will not be invited to the pitch to applaud the fans before a game.
The Sun (2007)
Everyone else just has a cameo role in the big story at Roland Garros.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Some of the batsmen have played really good cameo knocks, but in instances could have gone on to something bigger and put games beyond the opposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
IT'S a real coup for Downton Abbey to persuade the most famous man in the world to take a cameo role.
The Sun (2014)
It was a match of cameo performances, most of them coming in the first half, with both goalkeepers taking centre stage.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The Law & Order franchise has managed to keep going all these years thanks to a rich variety of storylines and lively cameo performances.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
AGAINST: Will only have a cameo role to play at best.
The Sun (2010)
In other languages
cameo
British English: cameo NOUN
A cameo is a short description or piece of acting which expresses cleverly and neatly the nature of a situation, event, or person's character.
The actress plays a crucial cameo which plays a significant part in the narrative of the film.