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adj. 1. Well or widely known. 2. First-rate; excellent: had a famous time at the party. [Middle English, from Anglo-Norman, from Latin fāmōsus, from fāma, fame; see bhā-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] famous·ness n. Synonyms: famous, celebrated, eminent, famed, illustrious, notable, noted, preeminent, renowned These adjectives mean widely known and esteemed: a famous actor; a celebrated musician; an eminent scholar; a famed scientist; an illustrious judge; a notable historian; a noted author; a preeminent archaeologist; a renowned painter. Antonym: obscure |
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