Fā'moūs, a.

a. [Lat. famosus, from fama; Fr. fameux, Pr. famos, Sp., Pg., & It. famoso. See FAME.] Celebrated in fame or public report; renowned; much talked of; distinguished in story;—used in either a good or bad sense, chiefly the former; and followed by for; as, famous for erudition, for eloquence, for military skill; a famous pirate. “Famous for a scolding tongue.” Shak.

Synonyms—Noted; remarkable; signal; conspicuous; celebrated; renowned; illustrious; eminent; transcendent; excellent.—FAMOUS, RENOWNED, ILLUSTRIOUS. Famous is applied to a person or thing widely spoken of as extraordinary; renowned is applied to those who are named again and again with honor; illustrious, to those who have dazzled the world by the splendor of their deeds or their virtues. Napoleon was famous; Alexander was renowned; Washington was illustrious.

Henry the Fifth, too famous to live long. Shak.

The rest were long to tell, though far renowned. Milton.

Of every nation, each illustrious name, Such toys as those have cheated into fame. Dryden.