
What Does “Famous” Mean?
“Famous” (/ˈfeɪ.məs/) is an adjective that means widely known, recognized, or admired by many people. It is often used to describe people, places, events, or works that have a positive reputation.
- Antonyms: Unknown, obscure
- Related term: Infamous (famous for negative reasons)
Examples:
- Taylor Swift is a famous singer known for her emotional lyrics.
- Ha Long Bay is famous for its stunning natural beauty.
Understanding the meaning of “famous” is the first step to using it correctly in various contexts.
Famous with Which Preposition? Detailed Explanation and Examples
If you’re wondering “famous with which preposition?”, the most common prepositions used with “famous” are for, in, of, as, with, and among. Each preposition carries a distinct nuance.
Famous for (Famous for a Reason)
Structure:
S + be + famous + for + N/N-phrase/V-ing
“Famous for” is the most frequently used structure. It indicates the reason or specific achievement for which someone or something is well-known.
Examples:
- Vietnam is famous for its traditional cuisine.
- She is famous for writing best-selling novels.
Famous in (Famous in a Field or Location)
Structure:
be + famous + in + (field/industry/area/community/city/country)
This structure describes fame within a specific field, industry, or location.
Examples:
- He is famous in the scientific community for his groundbreaking research.
- This dish is famous in Hanoi.

(The most) Famous of (Most Famous in a Group)
Structure:
the most famous of + N
This structure is used to identify the most famous element within a group or collection. It is only used with the superlative form (the most).
Examples:
- This painting is the most famous of his works.
- Paris is the most famous of all French cities.
Famous as (Famous in a Role)
Structure:
be + famous + as + noun (role/title)
This structure emphasizes the role or identity that makes someone famous.
Examples:
- He is famous as a talented actor.
- She became famous as a human rights activist.

Famous with / Famous among (Famous with a Group of People)
Structure:
be + famous + with/among + group (teenagers, tourists, locals, etc.)
This structure describes fame within a specific group of people.
Examples:
- The singer is famous among teenagers.
- This brand is famous with young professionals.
Collocations and Fixed Phrases with “Famous”
To use “famous” naturally, it’s helpful to learn common collocations and fixed phrases that include the word.
Adjective Phrases
These phrases describe the degree or scope of fame:
- World-famous: Known globally
- Internationally famous: Known across countries
- Globally famous: Known worldwide
- Nationally famous: Known within a country
- Wildly famous: Extremely popular
Examples:
- Taylor Swift became world-famous after her first album.
- The chef became internationally famous after winning a global contest.
Verb Patterns
These verb patterns describe how someone or something becomes famous:
- Become famous: To gain fame
- Get famous: To gradually become famous
- Rise to fame: To achieve fame
- Be made famous: To be made famous by something
- Make sb/sth famous: To cause someone or something to become famous
- Remain/stay famous: To continue being famous
Examples:
- The movie made the actor famous overnight.
- He got famous on TikTok for his comedy skits.
Related Nouns
These nouns are related to the concept of fame:
- Fame: The state of being famous
- Celebrity: A famous person
- A household name: A name known by everyone
Examples:
- Some people chase fame and fortune all their lives.
- She became a celebrity chef after her TV show took off.
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
- Famous last words: A phrase said confidently but later proven wrong
- The rich and famous: Wealthy and well-known people
Examples:
- She said she’d never move abroad — famous last words!
- Scandals involving the rich and famous often dominate headlines.
Famous vs. Well-Known, Renowned, Popular, and Infamous: How to Differentiate
If you’ve ever wondered “What is the English word for ‘nổi tiếng’?”, you might consider using famous, well-known, renowned, popular, or infamous. However, each word has a distinct meaning and usage.
| Word | Meaning and Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Famous | Widely known, often with a positive connotation. | The Eiffel Tower is famous around the world. |
| Well-known | Recognized by many, but to a lesser extent than “famous.” | She’s a well-known teacher in our city. |
| Renowned | Famous for a specific skill or achievement, often formal. | He’s a renowned scientist for his research on climate change. |
| Popular | Liked or admired by many, often for trends or preferences. | TikTok is popular among young people. |
| Infamous | Famous for negative reasons. | He became infamous for his tax scandals. |
Understanding these differences will help you use each word accurately in context.
Exercises to Master “Famous with Which Preposition?”
To solidify your understanding, here are some exercises to practice using “famous” with the correct prepositions.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
(Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition: for, in, of, as, with, among)
- The chef is famous ___ creating plant-based desserts.
- She is famous ___ the neuroscience community.
- This pagoda is the most famous ___ all religious sites in the province.
- He is famous ___ a humanitarian and educator.
- The brand is famous ___ teenagers for its playful packaging.
- The village is famous ___ its traditional fish sauce.
- That café became famous ___ travel bloggers after a viral post.
- She remained famous ___ Asia for decades.
Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences
Rewrite the following sentences using “famous + the correct preposition”:
- People know this city because of its street food.
- People know this professor in the field of anthropology.
- People know her as a pioneering AI researcher.
- Of all his novels, people know this one the most.
- Among students, that café is well known for its cozy design.
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct preposition (A–D) for each sentence:
The city is famous ___ its street food.
A. in
B. for
C. as
D. toShe became famous ___ a fashion designer at 25.
A. as
B. for
C. in
D. withThis lake is famous ___ tourists from all over Asia.
A. with
B. for
C. as
D. ofAlan Turing is famous ___ computer science, especially codebreaking.
A. as
B. in
C. for
D. toHe’s the most famous ___ all the composers of his era.
A. to
B. of
C. with
D. in
Answers
Exercise 1
- for
- in
- of
- as
- among
- for
- with
- in
Exercise 2
- This city is famous for its street food.
- This professor is famous in the field of anthropology.
- She is famous as a pioneering AI researcher.
- This is the most famous of his novels.
- That café is famous among students for its cozy design.
Exercise 3
- B. for → Reason/feature: famous for its street food.
- A. as → Role/identity: famous as a fashion designer.
- A. with → Famous “with” a group of people: famous with tourists.
- C. for → Reason/achievement: famous for computer science.
- B. of → Superlative in a group: (the) most famous of + plural noun.
Understanding “famous with which preposition?” and mastering its usage will help you speak and write English more confidently. Additionally, learning collocations and fixed phrases with “famous”, as well as differentiating it from well-known, renowned, popular, and infamous, will enhance your ability to use vocabulary accurately and flexibly.
Practice regularly with exercises to reinforce your knowledge and apply it effectively in daily communication.
