famous
/ˈfeɪ.məs/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Known by many people. A famous person, place, or thing is widely recognized and often talked about.
- She is a famous singer.
- This is a famous old temple.
- The movie made him famous.
Adinary Nuance
Famous means many people know the name. It is stronger than known or well-known. Use well-known for something people recognize, but not always admire. Use famous when the person, place, or thing is widely recognized.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nổi tiếng
- Spanish
- famoso
- Chinese
- 著名
- Japanese
- 有名な
- Korean
- 유명한
Etymology
Famous came into English from Latin, through Old French, in the late Middle Ages. It originally meant 'well known' or 'widely spoken about'.
Common phrases
famous forworld-famousfamous facefamous quote
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is famous the same as well-known?
- They are close, but famous is stronger. Well-known can sound more neutral.
- Can I use famous in academic writing?
- Yes, but use it carefully. It is better for public figures, places, and well-known ideas.
- What does famous for mean?
- It means people know someone or something because of a special quality, skill, or achievement.