fame
faym
Fame (noun) means the state of being well known and widely recognized, especially for achievement. Example: “The singer achieved worldwide fame almost overnight.”
noun
1
The state of being well known and widely recognized, especially for achievement.
"The singer achieved worldwide fame almost overnight."
"He never sought fame, only wanted to do good work."
"After the film came out, her fame spread quickly across several countries."
How to use fame
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing widely known and talked about, usually for something impressive or notable.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "fame" (being well known, usually positively) with "infamy" (being well known for something bad).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
rise to fame
claim to fame
achieve fame
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Word forms
- Plural
- fames
- Third person singular
- fames
- Past tense
- famed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The singer achieved worldwide _____ almost overnight.
Etymology
From Old French fame, from Latin fama ("talk, rumor, reputation").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fame
See all rhymes for fame →Frequently asked questions
What does “fame” mean?
The word “fame” means the state of being well known and widely recognized, especially for achievement. In plain terms, being widely known and talked about, usually for something impressive or notable.
How do you pronounce “fame”?
“Fame” is pronounced faym (/feɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “fame” in a sentence?
Here is “fame” used in a sentence: “The singer achieved worldwide fame almost overnight.”
What part of speech is “fame”?
“Fame” is a noun.
Where does the word “fame” come from?
The word “fame” comes from Latin. From Old French fame, from Latin fama ("talk, rumor, reputation").
Is “fame” a common word?
“Fame” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between fame and notoriety?
Fame is the state of being well known and widely recognized, especially for achievement, and it carries a generally positive tone. Notoriety also means being widely known but for something bad or scandalous, so fame is admired while notoriety is not.
What is the difference between fame and celebrity?
Fame is the abstract state of being widely recognized for one's achievements. 'Celebrity' can mean the same state but is also used for a famous person, as in 'a celebrity walked in', a use that 'fame' never has.
What is the difference between fame and reputation?
Fame is being widely known, usually on a large scale and for achievement. Reputation is the opinion people hold about someone, which can be good or bad and can exist on a small, local scale; a person can have a strong reputation without any fame.
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