# renown

/ɹɪˈnaʊn/ (US) · /ɹɪnˈaʊn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/renown
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. fame and respect

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the state of being famous and admired by many people for your skills or achievements.

For teachers: the state of being widely acclaimed or celebrated; widespread recognition for excellence or accomplishment.

- The author gained international renown after her third novel became a bestseller.
- Despite his early renown as a brilliant physicist, he spent his later years working in relative obscurity on theoretical problems.

Usage: Usually uncountable; often follows adjectives like 'international', 'great', or 'lasting'.

### 2. to make famous

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic

to make someone or something famous.

For teachers: to render someone or something famous or celebrated.

- The brave deeds of the knights were renowned in many old songs.
- Ancient poets sought to renown their patrons through epic verses that would survive for centuries.

Usage: In modern English, this is almost exclusively used as the past participle adjective 'renowned' rather than a functional verb.

## Examples

- The chef gained great renown for his creative seafood dishes.
- The university's department of physics has achieved international renown for its groundbreaking research into renewable energy.
- Despite her early renown as a concert pianist, she spent her later years in relative obscurity, focusing on teaching rather than public performance.

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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.