Definition of: fame

(fām) noun
1. Public or general reputation; renown.
2. Obs. Report; rumor.
—v.t. famed, fam·ing
1. To speak of widely; celebrate.
2. To make famous. [<F <L fama report, reputation <fari speak] Synonyms (noun): celebrity, credit, distinction, eminence, glory, honor, laurels, notoriety, renown, reputation, repute. Fame is the widely disseminated report of a person's character, deeds, or ability, and is oftenest used in the favorable sense. Reputation and repute are more limited than fame, and may be either good or bad. Notoriety is evil repute or a dishonorable counterfeit of fame. Eminence and distinction may result from rank, station, or character. Celebrity is limited in range; we speak of local celebrity, or world-wide fame. Fame in its best sense may be defined as the applause of numbers; renown, as such applause worthily won: we speak of the conqueror's fame, the patriot's renown. Glory and honor are of good import; honor may be given for qualities or acts that should not win it, but it is always given as for something good and worthy; we speak of an evil fame, but not of evil honor; glory has a more exalted and often a sacred sense. Antonyms: contempt, contumely, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, humiliation, ignominy, infamy, oblivion, obscurity, shame.