Based on the functions they perform, words fall under different parts of speech. We will in this article find out whether the word “famous” is an adjective, a noun or an adverb.
The word “famous” is an adjective. A word which gives any detail or information about the nouns or noun phrases in a sentence is nothing but an adjective. Adjectives can describe or modify singular or plural naming words (people, things, animals, places, ideas).
Let us now read through the article to know why the word “famous” is an adjective, with the aid of five different facts, several examples and suitable explanations.
When is “famous” an adjective?
The word “famous” is an adjective. Here, let us find out at what places or situations (when) the word “famous” will function as an adjective.
The table below will list the instances when the word “famous” takes up the role of an adjective.
| Instances When “Famous” Is An Adjective | Examples | Explanations |
| 1. When used to tell about how well known, popular, or renowned a naming word (noun or noun phrase) is | This shop is famous for the desserts it sells. | In this sentence, the word “famous” is modifying the naming word ‘shop’ (a place). It is telling to us that the shop is well known or popular for the desserts it sells, thus performing the role of an adjective. |
| 2. When to tell that a naming word is excellent or outstanding | Last evening, Ruhan performed a famous performance. | Here, in this sentence, the word “famous” is qualifying the naming word ‘performance’. It is telling to us that Ruhan’s performance was outstanding, extraordinary and excellent, thereby taking up the role of an adjective. |
Is “famous” a descriptive adjective?
We all know that there are different types of adjectives such as descriptive, demonstrative, quantitative etc. We will here find out if “famous” is a descriptive adjective.
The word “famous” is a descriptive adjective. Well, descriptive adjectives are adjectives that reveal the nature, characteristic feature, behavior, state of mind and so on of a person, animal, place, idea, situation, thought, or thing by describing or modifying them.
Example: Suha’s dream is to become a famous painter.
In the above sentence, the word “famous” is an adjective. To be more precise, “famous” is a descriptive adjective as it is modifying the naming word “painter” (a person) by telling us that Suha’s dream is to be a painter who’s nature is well known and popular.
When is “famous” a descriptive adjective?
The adjective “famous” is a descriptive adjective when it is stating to us the popular, renowned, eminent, acclaimed, excellent, outstanding, or great nature or characteristic feature of an individual, place, thing, idea, animal and so on.
The examples listed below in the tabular column will give us a better understanding about the usage of the word “famous” as a descriptive adjective.
| Examples | Usage Of “Famous” As A Descriptive Adjective |
| 1. The famous temple of this city is one of the oldest temples in India. | In this sentence, the attributive descriptive adjective “famous” is used to tell us the well known and famed nature of the temple of the city by modifying the naming word ‘temple’ (a place). |
| 2. Ooty is famous for its amazing weather, aromatic tea plantations and scenic places. | The predicative descriptive adjective “famous” in this sentence is describing the naming word ‘Ooty’ (a place) by revealing to us that Ooty is popular and renowned for its amazing weather, aromatic tea plantation and scenic places. |
| 3. This is a famous spot to click scenic and wildlife photos. | “Famous” is functioning as an attributive descriptive adjective in this sentence as it is modifying the naming word ‘spot’ (a place) located right next to it. The descriptive adjective “famous” here tell to us that ‘this’ is an excellent and outstanding spot to click wildlife and scenic photos. |
| 4. Dan Brown, the famous thriller novelist, is widely read by almost all people who like thriller and adventure novels. | The attributive descriptive adjective “famous” in this sentence is qualifying the naming word ‘novelist’ (a place) by revealing to us that Dan Brown is a very popular, well known and renowned thriller novelist and he is widely read by lovers of thriller and adventure novels. |
| 5. India is very famous for its culture, heritage and hospitality. | The predicative descriptive adjective “famous” in this sentence is utilized to qualify the naming word ‘India’ (a place – a country) by stating to us India’s nature of being celebrated, popular and eminent for its culture, heritage and hospitality. |
| 6. Taj Mahal, the most famous tourist place of Agra, is also one among the seven world wonders. | “Famous” is taking up the role of an attributive descriptive adjective in this sentence to tell to us about the nature of Taj Mahal being known by all and quite popular. “Famous” is used here in its superlative form ‘most famous’ to denote that Taj Mahal is the most popular tourist place of Agra. |
| 7. The team’s continuous hard work and efforts led to the famous victory. | The attributive descriptive adjective “famous” in this sentence is utilized in order to describe the naming word ‘victory’. The descriptive adjective “famous” here is telling to us that the team’s victory is of outstanding and excellent nature and it is only because of their continuous hard work and efforts. |
Is “famous” a noun?
While some adjectives can also function as nouns when they are used for naming purposes, let us here get to know whether “famous” can be a noun.
“Famous” is not a noun since it does not name any place, thing, person or an abstract idea or thought. ‘Fame’ is a noun since it names the abstract feeling of being popular or well known to many people. “Famous” is the adjective form of the abstract noun ‘fame’.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. The Shiva Trilogy turned out to be the most famous work of the Indian writer Amish Tripathi. | In this sentence, the word “famous” is an adjective and not a noun as it is not naming any person, feeling, idea or thing. Instead the adjective “famous” is qualifying the naming word ‘work’ (a thing) by telling us that, ‘The Shiva Trilogy’ turned out to be the most popular and well known work of Amish Tripathi, the Indian writer. |
| 2. It was this book that brought Sunil fame and recognition. | In this sentence, the word ‘fame’ is a noun as it is naming the abstract feeling of Sunil being well known by everyone because of ‘this book’. |
Is “famous” an adverb?
Any word which gives us information about a verb, adverb or an adjective is called as an adverb. Let us find out whether the word “famous” does this function.
The word “famous” is not an adverb as it does not modify an action word (verb), adjective or another adverb by telling extra information about them. However, the word ‘famously’ is an adverb as it tells us about adjectives or actions that are excellently done, state of being very friendly, that are widely popular.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. This hotel is famous for it’s authentic continental and Chinese cuisine. | In this sentence, the word “famous” is not an adverb but an adjective since it is giving extra information about the naming word (noun) ‘hotel’ (a place) by telling us that the hotel is acclaimed or popular for its authentic continental and Chinese cuisine. |
| 2. Ruhi and Sudha got along famously with each other since their first meeting. | In this sentence, the word ‘famously’ is an adverb since it is giving us extra information of how friendly Ruhi and Sudha were with each other by modifying the phrasal verb ‘got along’. |
Conclusion
Thus, this article clearly explains in detail why and how the word “famous” is an adjective and not a noun or an adverb.
Hi… I am Sowndharya Jagadeeswaran, a university rank holder in M.A. English Literature. I have also done my master’s in Business Administration. Inquisitive as I am, my interest in action-oriented research helped me publish research papers in reputed journals. Now, as a career, I am an instructor where I teach young and adorable students the intricate technicalities of Public Speaking and Creative Writing. I also enjoy writing articles on topics I specialize and research in.
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