noun
Uncommon
cameo
KAM-ee-oh
Cameo (noun) means a brief appearance by a well-known performer in a film, show, or song, often playing a minor role or themselves. Example: “The director made a cameo in his own movie, as usual.”
noun
1
A brief appearance by a well-known performer in a film, show, or song, often playing a minor role or themselves.
"The director made a cameo in his own movie, as usual."
2
A small piece of jewelry carved in relief, usually showing a profile.
"She inherited a cameo brooch from her grandmother."
verb
1
To make a brief guest appearance.
"The retired quarterback cameoed in the sports documentary."
How to use cameo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short, often surprise, appearance by a famous person in a film or show.
Common pairings
make a cameo
cameo appearance
cameo role
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Word forms
- Plural
- cameos, cameoes, camei
- Third person singular
- cameos
- Past tense
- cameoed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The director made a _____ in his own movie, as usual.
Etymology
From Italian cammeo; the "brief appearance" film sense comes from "cameo role," compared to the small, instantly recognizable carved figure on a cameo brooch.
Rhymes for cameo
See all rhymes for cameo →Frequently asked questions
What does “cameo” mean?
The word “cameo” means a brief appearance by a well-known performer in a film, show, or song, often playing a minor role or themselves. In plain terms, a short, often surprise, appearance by a famous person in a film or show.
How do you pronounce “cameo”?
“Cameo” is pronounced KAM-ee-oh (/ˈkæm.i.oʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cameo” in a sentence?
Here is “cameo” used in a sentence: “The director made a cameo in his own movie, as usual.”
What part of speech is “cameo”?
Depending on how it is used, “cameo” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cameo” come from?
The word “cameo” comes from Italian. From Italian cammeo; the "brief appearance" film sense comes from "cameo role," compared to the small, instantly recognizable carved figure on a cameo brooch.
Is “cameo” a common word?
“Cameo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cameo” have?
“Cameo” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a brief appearance by a well-known performer in a film, show, or song, often playing a minor role or themselves.
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