fame

1 of 2

noun

Synonyms of famenext
1
a
: public estimation : reputation
b
: popular acclaim : renown
2
archaic : rumor

fame

2 of 2

verb

famed; faming

transitive verb

1
archaic : report, repute
2
: to make famous

Examples of fame in a Sentence

Noun He died at the height of his fame. The book tells the story of her sudden rise to fame. He gained fame as an actor. She went to Hollywood seeking fame and fortune.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Of all sports halls of fame, College Football’s is statistically the most difficult to attain. Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026 The museum includes individual entries that include some figures whose fame was too recent for them to have been painted onto that wall in the administration building in the early ‘90s, from Rita Wilson to Lawrence Fishburne to writer-director Frank Darabont. Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
The lavish designs—velvet couches, massive headboards, opulent wallpaper, texture everywhere—were done by Jacques Garcia, famed for his lush and ultra-Parisian taste. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026 In the north of Kyoto is Arashiyama, famed for its lush bamboo groves. Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fame

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin fama report, fame; akin to Latin fari to speak — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fame was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fame. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

fame

noun
ˈfām
: the fact or condition of being known to the public : renown
famed
ˈfāmd
adjective

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