fa·mous

[fey-muhs]
adjective
1.
having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated: a famous writer. famed, notable, illustrious. unknown, obscure.
2.
Informal. first-rate; excellent: The singer gave a famous performance.
3.
notorious (used pejoratively).

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French < Latin fāmōsus. See fame, -ous

fa·mous·ly, adverb
fa·mous·ness, noun
o·ver·fa·mous, adjective
pre·fa·mous, adjective
pre·fa·mous·ly, adverb
pseu·do·fa·mous, adjective
pseu·do·fa·mous·ly, adverb
qua·si-fa·mous, adjective
qua·si-fa·mous·ly, adverb
un·fa·mous, adjective

famous, infamous, notorious.


1. Famous, celebrated, eminent, distinguished refer to someone or something widely and favorably known. Famous is the general word: a famous lighthouse. Celebrated originally referred to something commemorated, but now usually refers to someone or something widely known for conspicuous merit, services, etc.: a celebrated writer. Eminent implies high standing among one's contemporaries, especially in one's own profession or craft: an eminent physician. Distinguished adds to eminent the idea of honors conferred more or less publicly: a distinguished scientist.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Famous is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
Collins
World English Dictionary
famous (ˈfeɪməs) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  known to or recognized by many people; renowned
2.  informal excellent; splendid
3.  archaic of ill repute
 
[C14: from Latin fāmōsus; see fame]
 
'famousness
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

famous
late 14c., from Anglo-Fr. famous, from O.Fr. fameus, from L. famosus, from fama (see fame). A native word for this was O.E. namcuð, lit. "name-known." Catch phrase famous last words "remark likely to be proved wrong" is first attested 1948.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Abbreviations & Acronyms
FAMOUS
French-American Mid-Ocean Undersea Study
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
His instruments were highly esteemed, played by the virtuosi of their day,
  perhaps heard by famous composers.
Wireless carriers are famous for controlling the devices and software that they
  allow on their networks.
It is an interesting, unexpected expression of hemp, enjoyable even without its
  famous effects.
The story of a famous corpse gets a surprising twist.
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