famous

[fey-muh s] /ˈfeɪ məs/
adjective
1.
having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated:
a famous writer.
Synonyms: famed, notable, illustrious.
Antonyms: unknown, obscure.
2.
Informal. first-rate; excellent:
The singer gave a famous performance.
3.
notorious (used pejoratively).
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Anglo-French < Latin fāmōsus. See fame, -ous
Related forms
famously, adverb
famousness, noun
overfamous, adjective
prefamous, adjective
prefamously, adverb
pseudofamous, adjective
pseudofamously, adverb
quasi-famous, adjective
quasi-famously, adverb
unfamous, adjective
Can be confused
famous, infamous, notorious.
Synonym Study
1. Famous, celebrated, eminent, distinguished refer to someone or something widely and favorably known. Famous is the general word: a famous lighthouse. Celebrated originally referred to something commemorated, but now usually refers to someone or something widely known for conspicuous merit, services, etc.: a celebrated writer. Eminent implies high standing among one's contemporaries, especially in one's own profession or craft: an eminent physician. Distinguished adds to eminent the idea of honors conferred more or less publicly: a distinguished scientist.
Examples from the web for famous
  • Owning a home designed by a famous architect can be a little daunting.
  • To sample the cuisine of the priesthood, this famous restaurant is it.
  • Next to the village there was a giant wooden version of the famous stone circle.
  • The story of a famous corpse gets a surprising twist.
  • Civilizations have traded emeralds since antiquity, but the sources of many famous gems have remained unknown.
  • But a pick-and-choose tour of famous masterpieces ignores the full scope of the collection.
  • famous people dabbling in this lucrative genre is a centuries-old practice.
  • No picture he ever shot received as much attention-or controversy-as his famous kiss.
  • It's home to world-famous restaurants, from steakhouses to sushi bars.
  • He became famous after he bet against the housing bubble but is now in the limelight for less flattering reasons.
British Dictionary definitions for famous

famous

/ˈfeɪməs/
adjective
1.
known to or recognized by many people; renowned
2.
(informal) excellent; splendid
3.
(archaic) of ill repute
Derived Forms
famousness, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Latin fāmōsus; see fame
Word Origin and History for famous
adj.

late 14c., from Anglo-French famous, Old French fameus (Modern French fameux), from Latin famosus "much talked of, renowned," often "infamous, notorious, of ill repute," from fama (see fame (n.)). A native word for this was Old English namcuð, literally "name-known." Catch phrase famous last words "remark likely to be proved wrong" is first attested 1948.

Related Abbreviations for famous

FAMOUS

French-American Mid-Ocean Undersea Study