Renowned

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ɹɪˈnaʊnd/

Definitions

1. Celebrated for notable accomplishments or characteristics
2. Acknowledged as distinguished and respected across various realms for significant talents or contributions
3. Known broadly for exceptional skills or successful deeds

Etymology: "Renowned" is the past participle of "renown," so its real story is in the noun. "Renown" came into English from Old French "renoun," the same word that gives modern French "renom," and the French word is built from "re-" and "noun." The "noun" part is the Old French word for "name," coming from the Latin "nomen," so the core idea is literally a name that is spoken and passed around again and again. That makes "renown" a close cousin of "name" and "nominate" in its deepest layer. Its meaning, a widely shared reputation, follows naturally: a person whose name is repeated again and again by many people has renown. "Renowned" simply describes someone who has been given that repeated, public naming.

Synonyms: famous, celebrated, notable, eminent, distinguished

Antonyms: unknown, obscure, unfamous