celebrity
sih-LEHB-rih-tee
Celebrity (noun) means a famous person, especially one known through entertainment or media. Example: “A famous celebrity opened the new library, and a crowd gathered to watch.”
noun
1
A famous person, especially one known through entertainment or media.
"A famous celebrity opened the new library, and a crowd gathered to watch."
"The restaurant is popular with celebrities and tourists alike."
"She became an overnight celebrity after the video went viral."
2
The state of being famous or widely talked about.
"She found that celebrity brought attention, but it also took away her privacy."
"Their rapid rise to celebrity surprised even the band members themselves."
"His sudden celebrity made it hard to walk down the street unnoticed."
How to use celebrity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA famous person that a lot of people recognise — or simply the state of being famous.
Common pairings
celebrity culture
a minor celebrity
achieve celebrity
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Word forms
- Plural
- celebrities
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A famous _____ opened the new library, and a crowd gathered to watch.
Etymology
From Old French celebrite, from Latin celebritas, related to celeber, "crowded" or "renowned."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for celebrity
See all rhymes for celebrity →Frequently asked questions
What does “celebrity” mean?
The word “celebrity” means a famous person, especially one known through entertainment or media. In plain terms, a famous person that a lot of people recognise — or simply the state of being famous.
How do you pronounce “celebrity”?
“Celebrity” is pronounced sih-LEHB-rih-tee (/səˈlɛb.ɹɪ.ɾi/ in IPA).
How do you use “celebrity” in a sentence?
Here is “celebrity” used in a sentence: “She became an overnight celebrity after the video went viral.”
What part of speech is “celebrity”?
“Celebrity” is a noun.
Where does the word “celebrity” come from?
The word “celebrity” comes from Latin. From Old French celebrite, from Latin celebritas, related to celeber, "crowded" or "renowned.".
Is “celebrity” a common word?
“Celebrity” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “celebrity” have?
“Celebrity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a famous person, especially one known through entertainment or media.
What is the difference between a "celebrity" and a "star"?
A celebrity is any famous person widely known through entertainment or media, whether or not they are talented. A star usually implies someone who is famous specifically for outstanding skill or a leading role, such as a film star or sports star.
What is the difference between "celebrity" and "fame"?
A celebrity is the famous person, while fame is the state of being well known. Confusingly, celebrity can also mean the state of being famous, as in "she rose to celebrity overnight," which overlaps in meaning with fame.
What are common collocations with "celebrity"?
Common pairings include celebrity culture, celebrity gossip, celebrity endorsement, celebrity chef, and A-list celebrity. People also talk about someone achieving or enjoying celebrity status.
Is "celebrity" countable or uncountable?
When it refers to a famous person, celebrity is countable, as in "several celebrities attended." When it means the condition of being famous, it is uncountable, as in "his sudden celebrity surprised everyone."
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