: fully or widely known

Examples of well-known in a Sentence

an anchorwoman so well-known that she passes for a local celebrity
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The grocery chain is well-known for its delicious and convenient meal selections to feed a crowd on a budget. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2025 Less well-known is the French influence found throughout the region. AFAR Media, 29 Apr. 2025 The most well-known of these was Operation Ranch Hand, which sprayed at least 19 million gallons (75 million liters) of herbicides over approximately 6.4 million acres (2.6 million hectares), of South Vietnam. Pamela McElwee, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2025 In the early days of RP, when the mode was less well-known, that chance to socialize often meant that people with vastly different ideological and cultural backgrounds would play together. Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for well-known

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of well-known was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Well-known.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/well-known. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

well-known

adjective
ˈwel-ˈnōn
: known by many people

More from Merriam-Webster on well-known

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