renown
ri-NOWN
/rɪˈnaʊn/
The state of being widely known, highly honored, and celebrated for great achievements.
Renown is almost always positive, associated with honorable deeds, artistic mastery, or intellectual breakthroughs. It is more enduring than mere popularity.
The story behind the word. Renown comes to us from the Old French verb 'renomer', which literally meant 'to name again.' When someone does something so spectacular that people cannot stop repeating their name, that person achieves renown. It is the verbal echo of great deeds traveling through a community.
Word relationships
- fame: Fame is a general term for being widely known, whereas renown implies high honor and distinguished achievement.
- celebrity: Celebrity focuses on the state of being in the public eye, often associated with entertainment, while renown focuses on honor and respect.
- obscurity: Obscurity is the state of being completely unknown or forgotten by the public.
- anonymity: Anonymity is the state of having one's identity concealed or unknown, often by choice.
Commonly confused with
- notoriety: Renown is fame for good deeds and achievements; notoriety is fame for bad deeds or scandalous behavior.
Word family
- renowned (adjective): Famous and highly respected.
Collocations
- international renown
- achieve renown
- artist of renown
- world renown
Example sentences
- "He was, moreover, a man of great renown among the female circle of the neighborhood." Describing a legendary historical figure
- "The university's medical center has achieved international renown for its pioneering research in gene therapy." Discussing a world-class institution
Memory hook
Think of 're-noun' as a noun that is repeated 're-' (again and again) because everyone is talking about the person's great achievements. A name so good you say it again (re-name).
When not to use
Do not use renown to describe temporary internet fame or someone known for scandalous behavior; use notoriety or viral popularity instead.
Fun facts
- In medieval heraldry, a knight's renown was literally tracked by heralds who kept records of tournament victories to determine seating arrangements at royal feasts.
Related words
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