legendnoun
uk/ˈledʒ.ənd/us/ˈledʒ.ənd/legend noun (STORY)
B2 [ C or U ] a very old story or set of stories from ancient times, or the stories, not always true, that people tell about a famous event or person:
The dance was based on several Hindu legends.
She is writing a thesis on Irish legend and mythology.
Legend has it (= people say) that he always wore his boots in bed.
This match will go into tennis legend (= it will always be remembered).
More examples
- In the case of King Arthur, legend and truth are often inextricable.
- Her appetite for shopping became the stuff of legend.
- Their legends were passed from generation to generation.
- He collects Norse legends.
- The opera is based on an Icelandic legend.
legend noun (PERSON)
C1 [ C ] someone very famous and admired, usually because of their ability in a particular area:
Jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald once sang in this bar.
More examples
- She was a legend on Broadway.
- Miles Davis was a jazz legend.
- He was a legend among actors.
- Singing legend Shirley Bassey performed here.
- He was a legend in his own lifetime.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Famous people
- Archimedes
- Aristotle
- big name
- Caesar
- celebrity
- centre
- great
- icon
- Julius Caesar
- luminary
- megastar
- movie star
- name
- personality
- public figure
- rising star
- Socrates
- star
- superstar
- VIP
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legend noun (EXPLANATION)
[ C ] formal the words written on or next to a picture, map, coin, etc. that explain what it is about or what the symbols on it mean
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Pieces of writing
- acrostic
- caption
- creative writing
- doodle
- encomium
- excerpt
- fair copy
- fair sth out
- jottings
- manuscript
- microblog
- ms
- paragraph
- passage
- preamble
- record
- squiggle
- text
- typescript
- writing
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Idiom(s)
be a legend in your own lifetime