plural cameos
1
a
: a gem carved in relief (see relief entry 1 sense 6)
especially
: a small piece of sculpture on a stone or shell cut in relief in one layer with another contrasting layer serving as background
b
: a small medallion (see medallion sense 2) with a profiled head in relief
2
: a carving or sculpture made in the manner of a cameo
3
: a usually brief literary or filmic piece that brings into delicate or sharp relief the character of a person, place, or event
his cameos and short commentaries on men and manners—
R. T. Dunlop
R. T. Dunlop4
: a small theatrical role usually performed by a well-known actor and often limited to a single scene
A major star appears in a cameo in the movie.
broadly
: a brief appearance or role
cameo
adjective
cameo
verb, transitive + intransitive
Examples of cameo in a Sentence
He has a brief cameo in the film.
Recent Examples on the Web
Over the years, the Pillsbury Doughboy — his name is Poppin’ Fresh — has appeared in ads for Sprint, while the Maytag Repairman made a cameo in a spot for Chevrolet and the Taco Bell Chihuahua had a guest-star role in a pitch from Geico.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025
Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda in the stage musical, made cameos in the film adaptation.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025
After one scene with Carlton dancing awkwardly to the song eventually became the character's signature dance, the hit appeared multiple times, with Jones himself making a number of cameos on the show.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Commercial time was given to local businesses affected by last month’s wildfire, with famous faces making cameos.
—Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cameo 
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Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025
Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda in the stage musical, made cameos in the film adaptation.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025
After one scene with Carlton dancing awkwardly to the song eventually became the character's signature dance, the hit appeared multiple times, with Jones himself making a number of cameos on the show.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Commercial time was given to local businesses affected by last month’s wildfire, with famous faces making cameos.
—Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cameo
Articles Related to cameo
Dictionary Entries Near cameo
Cite this Entry
“Cameo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cameo. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cameo
noun
cam·eo
ˈkam-ē-ˌō 
plural cameos
1
: a carved gem in which the design is higher than its background
2
: a small role (as in a movie) performed by a well-known actor
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