Word
famous
Phoneticsfa·mous, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfeɪməs/
UK/fˈeɪməs/
Definitions
01well known
A1 · Beginner
adj. known by many people in many places.
adj. widely known, recognised, or celebrated by the general public.
“The city is famous for its beautiful old bridge and delicious food.”
“The scientist became famous overnight after her groundbreaking discovery was published in a major international journal.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'for' to indicate the reason for the fame.
Pitfall
He is a famous for his music.
He is famous for his music.
Do not use 'a' before 'famous' when it is used alone after a verb like 'is' or 'became'.
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse 'famous' with 'infamous'; remind them that 'infamous' means being known for something bad or shameful.
Synonyms
02excellent
C2 · Proficiency British English · Informal · Archaic
adj. very good or excellent.
adj. used as an intensifier to mean excellent or first-rate.
“We had a famous dinner at that new Italian restaurant last night.”
“The explorer was in famous spirits after receiving news that the funding for his next expedition had been approved.”
Teaching tip
This sense is rarely heard in modern conversation and is mostly found in older British literature.
Confusables
Famous describes someone widely known for positive or neutral reasons, while infamous describes someone widely known for negative or shameful reasons.
RememberInfamous = In for a bad reason.
Etymology
From Middle English famous, from Anglo-Norman famous, from Latin fāmōsus, equivalent to fame + -ous. Displaced native Old English hlīsful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/famous