celebrity

noun

ce·​leb·​ri·​ty sə-ˈle-brə-tē 

plural celebrities

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

• cause célèbre
• cause celebre
• celeb
• figure
• icon
• ikon
• light
• luminary
• megastar
• name
• notability
• notable
• notoriety
• personage
• personality
• somebody
• standout
• star
• superstar
• VIP

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

People and Audi are hosting the afterparty with beats by celebrity DJ Michelle Pesce. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025

Interior designer Nate Berkus, known for his impressive roster of A-list celebrity clients, home product lines, and national TV appearances, recently unveiled the interiors for his first-ever residential development project in New York City, called The Katharine. —Emma Reynolds, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Feb. 2025

Even celebrities like Jason Statham, Henry Cavill and Elizabeth Banks have talked about their love of the fitness program. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025

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

Phrases Containing celebrity

• cult of celebrity
• local celebrity

Kids Definition

celebrity

noun

ce·​leb·​ri·​ty sə-ˈleb-rət-ē 

plural celebrities

1

: the state of being celebrated : fame

his short-lived celebrity

2

: a famous or celebrated person