Meaning & use
renown
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Meaning
noununcountable
The condition of being widely known and respected because of what you have achieved or the skill you show.
Grammar: Used without an or an, often after of or with: a chef of great renown.
Patterns
- of renown
- win renown for something
The violinist achieved international renown before she turned twenty.
The town is a place of little renown outside its own region.
He won renown for his courage during the flood.
Common combinations
- international renown
- The festival has gained international renown.
- of great renown
- She was a surgeon of great renown.
- win renown
- The explorer won renown after her return.
- achieve renown
- Few poets achieve renown while they are still alive.
- world renown
- The bakery earned world renown for its sourdough.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fame
- Fame is the everyday word and can come from anything, even luck, while renown suggests recognition that is earned by real achievement.
- prestige
- Prestige stresses high status and respect, not simply being widely known.
- celebrity
- Celebrity is about being well known in popular culture, often with less emphasis on achievement.
- distinction
- Distinction points to excellence that sets someone apart, and can be quiet rather than widely known.
Opposites
Word family
- renowned adjective
- famous and respected for something
- unrenowned adjective
- not well known
Commonly confused: renown or renowned?
renown vs renowned
Renowned is the adjective (a renowned scientist), while renown is the noun (a scientist of renown).
Practice
The architect is a woman of great ___ across Europe.
Choose one answer.
After of great, a noun is needed and renown is an uncountable noun. Renowned is an adjective and cannot follow great here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “renown”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.