Is “Famous” an Adjective?

Yes, “famous” is an adjective. It is used to describe something or someone that is widely known or celebrated, often for a favorable reason. This comprehensive guide will delve into the definition, usage, grammatical specifications, examples, theoretical explanations, and advanced hands-on details of the adjective “famous.”

Definition and Usage

Definition

The adjective “famous” means being widely known or celebrated, often for a favorable reason. It is used to describe people, places, things, or events that are well-known or renowned.

Usage

“Famous” can be used to describe a variety of entities:
– Persons: “He is a famous actor.”
– Places: “The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark.”
– Things: “The Mona Lisa is a famous painting.”
– Events: “The Battle of Gettysburg is a famous battle.”

Grammatical Specification

is famous an adjective

Part of Speech

“Famous” is an adjective.

Forms

The adjective “famous” does not have different forms for singular or plural nouns. It remains the same in both cases.

Synonyms

Some synonyms for “famous” include “renowned,” “celebrated,” “noted,” “notorious,” “distinguished,” “eminent,” and “illustrious.”

Antonyms

While there are no direct antonyms for “famous,” words like “unknown,” “obscure,” or “unrecognized” can be used to describe the opposite state.

Examples

  • “Tiger Woods is one of the most famous names in golf.” (Describing a person)
  • “Loch Ness is probably the most famous lake in Scotland.” (Describing a place)
  • “The song was made famous by Frank Sinatra.” (Describing a thing)
  • “He became internationally famous for his novels.” (Describing an event or achievement)

Theoretical Explanation

The adjective “famous” is derived from the Old French “fameus,” which comes from the Latin “famosus,” meaning “famed” or “renowned.” This etymology highlights the connection between “famous” and the idea of being widely known or celebrated.

Advanced Hands-on Details

Collocations

“Famous” often collocates with words like “artist,” “actor,” “writer,” “lake,” “restaurant,” or “battle” to describe specific types of famous entities.

Idioms

The phrase “famous last words” is used to express irony or skepticism when someone makes a confident statement that might not come true.

Reference Links

  1. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/famous
  2. https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/famous
  3. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/famous