Meaning & use
renowned
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Meaning
adjectivecomparableapproving
Known and respected by many people for a special talent, quality, or achievement.
Grammar: Often followed by for: renowned for her kindness.
Patterns
- renowned for something
- renowned as something
- world-renowned
The town is renowned for its fresh seafood.
She is a renowned expert on ancient languages.
He became renowned as a brilliant surgeon.
Word forms
| comparative | more renowned |
|---|---|
| superlative | most renowned |
Common combinations
- internationally renowned
- She is an internationally renowned pianist.
- renowned for
- The region is renowned for its wine.
- world-renowned
- The hospital employs world-renowned doctors.
- renowned scientist
- A renowned scientist gave the lecture.
- renowned as
- The chef is renowned as an innovator.
Synonyms and how they differ
- famous
- Famous is the broad everyday word, while renowned always suggests respect for real skill or achievement.
- celebrated
- Celebrated suggests public praise and admiration, often in the arts.
- eminent
- Eminent is more formal and applies to someone high in a profession.
- notorious
- Notorious means widely known for something bad, so it is the negative counterpart.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: renowned or renowned? renowned or notorious?
renowned vs renowned
Do not confuse it with reknown, a common misspelling; the correct noun is renown.
renowned vs notorious
Notorious means known for something bad, whereas renowned is positive.
Practice
The village is ___ for its handmade pottery, which collectors travel far to buy.
Choose one answer.
Renowned for means widely admired for. Notorious is also followed by for, but it means famous for something bad, which does not suit admired pottery.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “renowned”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.