Famous \Fa"mous\, a. [L. famosus, fr. fama fame: cf. F. fameux. See Fame.]

Celebrated in fame or public report; renowned; mach talked of; distinguished in story; -- used in either a good or a bad sense, chiefly the former; often followed by for; as, famous for erudition, for eloquence, for military skill; a famous pirate.

Famous for a scolding tongue. --Shak.

Syn: Noted; remarkable; signal; conspicuous; celebrated; renowned; illustrious; eminent; transcendent; excellent.

Usage: Famous, Renowned, Illustrious. Famous is applied to a person or thing widely spoken of as extraordinary; renowned is applied to those who are named again and again with honor; illustrious, to those who have dazzled the world by the splendor of their deeds or their virtues. See Distinguished.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)