celebrity

Pronunciation

• IPA: /sɪˈlɛb.ɹɪ.ti/ (UK); /səˈlɛb.ɹɪ.ɾi/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Old French celebrite (“celebration”) or directly Latin celebritas (“multitude, fame”),^[2][3][4] from celeber (“frequented, populous, honoured”) (see celebrate).^[2][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

A solemn rite or ceremony: the late 14th century in Etymonline,^[2] late Middle English in SOED and Word Origins.^[4][5]

Semantic evolution

The ceremonial sense, with the related due observance of rites and pomp, lasted until the late 18th century.^[4][6] Fame, the condition of being much talked about, is from 1600,^[6][2] and the concrete sense, a famous person, is from 1849.^[6][2] Word Origins notes that the Latin source, meaning frequented or honoured, is closer to the modern sense than the English word's original meaning.^[5]

Timeline

• late 14th century – a solemn ceremony.^[2]
• 1600 – fame, renown.^[6][2]
• 1849 – a famous person.^[6][2]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A famous person, especially in entertainment or sport.
2. The state of being famous; renown or fame.

Word family

• celebrityhood
• celeb
• celebutante
• noncelebrity

Related words

• celebrate
• celebration
• celebrated

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
4. ^ a b c Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
5. ^ a b c Cresswell, Julia (2021), Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press