: fully or widely known

Examples of well-known in a Sentence

an anchorwoman so well-known that she passes for a local celebrity
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.
The more minor regulations are not always well-known or clearly displayed. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025 This is well-known in the bee world and backed up by the U.S. Department of Agriculture research. Martha Ann Overland, NPR, 6 Apr. 2025 Perhaps the most well-known of these stories is about the ecological changes wolves drove when they were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. Nitin Sekar, ArsTechnica, 5 Apr. 2025 Steiner is most well-known in WWE for his time working with real-life brother Rick Steiner as The Steiner Brothers. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for well-known

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Well-known.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/well-known. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

well-known

adjective
ˈwel-ˈnōn
: known by many people

More from Merriam-Webster on well-known

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