renown

1 of 2

noun

re·​nown ri-ˈnau̇n 

1

: a state of being widely acclaimed and highly honored : fame

2

obsolete : report, rumor

renown

2 of 2

verb

renowned; renowning; renowns

transitive verb

: to give renown to

Synonyms

Noun

• celebrity
• fame
• notoriety

Examples of renown in a Sentence

Noun

He achieved great renown for his discoveries.

Her photographs have earned her international renown.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Food and Drink Tochigi Prefecture’s agricultural renown takes center stage at each one of the property's four drinking and dining venues: the Japanese Restaurant, the Western-style Lakehouse, the Lobby Lounge, and the Bar. —Paul Jebara, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025

Her growing renown means that her major works are now far beyond the reach of most public museums to acquire. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Ramsay is, like Andrea Arnold, something of a rock star in the British independent scene, but that renown has never translated into Oscar nominations. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025

Gerwig, at age 41, represents film culture’s new feminist vanguard; her renown is an extension of the media celebration that established the international activism of Thunberg, now 22. —Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English renoun, from Anglo-French renum, renoun, from renomer to report, speak of, from re- + nomer to name, from Latin nominare, from nomin-, nomen name — more at name

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing renown

• of renown

Rhymes for renown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

renown

noun

re·​nown

ri-ˈnau̇n

: a state of being widely known and highly honored : fame