cameo

noun

cam·​eo ˈka-mē-ˌō How to pronounce cameo (audio)
plural cameos
1
a
: a gem carved in relief (see relief entry 1 sense 6)
especially : a small piece of sculpture on a stone or shell cut in relief in one layer with another contrasting layer serving as background
b
: a small medallion (see medallion sense 2) with a profiled head in relief
2
: a carving or sculpture made in the manner of a cameo
3
: a usually brief literary or filmic piece that brings into delicate or sharp relief the character of a person, place, or event
his cameos and short commentaries on men and mannersR. T. Dunlop
4
: a small theatrical role usually performed by a well-known actor and often limited to a single scene
A major star appears in a cameo in the movie.
broadly : a brief appearance or role
cameo adjective
cameo verb, transitive + intransitive

Examples of cameo in a Sentence

He has a brief cameo in the film.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lively had a cameo in the Marvel film as Lady Deadpool, but the director’s commentary revealed that the Gossip Girl alum had a more impactful role. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024 Princess Gabriella and Princes Jacques' personalities shined on the palace perch, and their adorable antics were reminiscent of some of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis' past cameos on the Buckingham Palace balcony! Janine Henni, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024 Micromanaging a cameo on a TV show that on a good night reaches fewer than 6 million viewers feels like a reach, particularly when candidates have so many other ways to reach voters. Josef Adalian, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024 Seth Meyers is fed up with Republicans complaining about Kamala Harris' Saturday Night Live cameo. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cameo 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English camew, from Middle French camau, kamaheu

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cameo was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near cameo

Cite this Entry

“Cameo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cameo. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cameo

noun
cam·​eo ˈkam-ē-ˌō How to pronounce cameo (audio)
plural cameos
1
: a carved gem in which the design is higher than its background
2
: a small role (as in a movie) performed by a well-known actor
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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