What does famous mean?
"Famous" is an adjective describing someone or something that is very widely known, especially as a result of achievement, talent, or notoriety that has captured public attention. A person may be famous for acting, science, or sport; a building or dish may be famous for its distinctive character, as in "the city is famous for its architecture." The word carries a generally positive or at least admiring connotation, which distinguishes it from "notorious" or "infamous," both of which imply being known for something bad. Common collocations include "world-famous," "rich and famous," and the idiomatic "famous last words," used ironically to dismiss overconfident predictions. Derived forms include the noun "fame," the adverb "famously," and the participial adjective "famed." The word traces back through Old French to the Latin "famosus," from "fama," meaning report or renown — the same root that gave English "defame" and "infamous." Versatile and instantly understood, it remains one of the most frequently used words for celebrity and renown in modern English.
adjectiveKnown about by very many people; widely celebrated or renowned.
- Widely known and talked about; celebrated or renowned.
- (Of a place or thing) noted for a particular quality or feature — e.g. "the region is famous for its wines."
"The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in the world."
"Marie Curie became famous for her pioneering research on radioactivity."
"The café is famous among locals for its impossibly flaky croissants."
"Famous last words" began as a literal phrase for a dying person's final utterances before becoming the world's most popular way to say "that will never happen."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of famous
"Famous" comes from the Latin "famosus," meaning much talked about, derived from "fama," meaning rumor, report, or renown. It entered English in the late Middle Ages through Old French " fameus," replacing older native formulations and quickly settling into its modern sense. The same Latin root produced English "fame," "defame," and "infamous," and ultimately descends from the Proto-Indo-European verb *bha-, meaning to speak, which also underlies words like "fable" and "infant."
Related word forms
How famous is actually used
Entirely standard in both formal and informal English. It carries a broadly positive connotation, so it is a poor choice for someone known for wrongdoing — "notorious" or "infamous" fits better there. "Famous" typically implies broad public recognition, while "renowned" or "eminent" can signal esteem within a particular field even without mass celebrity.
Easily confused with famous
"Infamous" means famously bad or disgraceful, whereas "famous" is neutral-to-positive and simply means widely known.