celebrity

/səˈlɛbrədi/

/səˈlɛbrɛti/

Other forms: celebrities

A celebrity is a very famous person. If you single-handedly save an entire family from a burning building, you'll become a local celebrity.

Celebrity comes directly from the Latin celebritatum, meaning famous, and is related to the verb celebrate which means to honor something with the proper ritual. We usually use celebrity now when we talk about entertainment stars, but someone doesn't have to be on the supermarket tabloids to be a celebrity. Celebrity can also be used to mean the state of fame. If you are seeking celebrity, develop a thick skin for nasty rumors.

Definitions of celebrity

1. noun

   the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
   synonyms: fame, renown

   type of:

   honor, honour, laurels

   the state of being honored
2. noun

   a widely known person
   “he was a baseball celebrity”

   synonyms: famous person

   types:

   immortal

   a person (such as an author) of enduring fame

   lion, social lion

   a celebrity who is lionized (much sought after)

   guiding light, leading light, luminary, notability, notable

   a celebrity who is an inspiration to others

   personality

   a person of considerable prominence

   toast

   a celebrity who receives much acclaim and attention

   type of:

   important person, influential person, personage

   one whose whose actions and opinions strongly influence the course of events