# famous

/ˈfeɪməs/ (US) · /fˈeɪməs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/famous
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. well known

adjective · CEFR A1

known by many people in many places.

For teachers: 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.

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse 'famous' with 'infamous'; remind them that 'infamous' means being known for something bad or shameful.

### 2. excellent

adjective · CEFR C2 · British English · Informal · Archaic

very good or excellent.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She is a famous singer.
- The city is famous for its beautiful bridges and historic architecture.
- While many actors seek to become famous, few are prepared for the loss of privacy that accompanies such a high level of public recognition.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.