celebrity

noun

ce·​leb·​ri·​ty sə-ˈle-brə-tē How to pronounce celebrity (audio)
plural celebrities
Synonyms of celebritynext
1
: the state of being celebrated : fame
The actress lived a life of celebrity.
2
: a famous or celebrated person
Many celebrities attended the awards ceremony.

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of celebrity in a Sentence

The actress lived a life of celebrity. There were many celebrities at the party.
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.
News of Chigvintsev’s arrest ended what appeared to be a reality TV-style fairy-tale romance, involving the two celebrities. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 The most powerful female celebrities are also doing their part. —Maggie McGrath, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024 Meanwhile, Jagger is not the first celebrity to announce their endorsement for Harris in the last days leading up to Tuesday's election. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for celebrity 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English celebrite "fame, renown," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French celebrité, borrowed from Latin celebritāt-, celebritās "busy or crowded conditions, reputation, fame," from celebr-, celeber "much used, frequented, widely known, famed" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at celebrate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing celebrity

Dictionary Entries Near celebrity

celebrious

celebrity

celebrityhood

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Celebrity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celebrity. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

celebrity

noun
ce·​leb·​ri·​ty sə-ˈleb-rət-ē How to pronounce celebrity (audio)
plural celebrities
1
: the state of being celebrated : fame
his short-lived celebrity
2
: a famous or celebrated person

More from Merriam-Webster on celebrity

Nglish: Translation of celebrity for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of celebrity for Arabic Speakers

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