celebn.
/sᵻˈlɛb/, U.S. /səˈlɛb/ colloquial (originally U.S.).
A celebrity.In later use, sometimes considered journalese, but recorded earliest among students: see quot. 1907 and also this slightly later report from the same university: ‘Prevalent among college students..is the fad for clipping off words..'phone, psych., zoo., lit., math., celeb.’ ( Smith College Monthly Oct. 1908, p.61).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > [noun]
kingeOE
master-spiritc1175
douzepersc1330
sire1362
worthya1375
lantern1382
sira1400
greatc1400
noblec1400
persona1425
lightc1425
magnate?a1439
worthyman1439
personagec1460
giant1535
honourablec1540
triedc1540
magnifico1573
ornament1573
signor1583
hero1592
grandee1604
prominent1608
name1611
magnificent1612
choice spirita1616
illustricity1637
luminary1692
lion1715
swell1786
notable1796
top-sawyer1826
star1829
celebrity1831
notability1832
notoriety1841
mighty1853
tycoon1861
reputation1870
public figure1871
star turn1885
headliner1896
front-pager1899
legend1899
celeb1907
big name1909
big-timer1917
Hall of Famer1948
megastar1969
1907 Smith Coll. Monthly Dec. 173 She is a Senior Celeb and I'm just any Freshman.
1962 J. P. Carstairs Pardon my Gun i. 12 I..asked her to lunch at the White Elephant. There were usually more than a sprinkling of Celebs..from the Entertainment World.
1984 Spectator 12 May 8/3 Minor celebs who don't rate a cookbook of their own wind up in recipe anthologies.
2014 Daily Star (Nexis) 23 Jan. 29 Last night a host of top celebs braved the cold to walk the red carpet for the National Television Awards.
Compounds
C1. General attributive and objective (with agent nouns), as celeb gossip, celeb spotter, etc.
ΚΠ
1944 Billboard 15 Jan. 22/4 AGVA should put a tariff on celeb nights.
1988 Toronto Star (Nexis) 11 Sept. g1 Fiona Reid..was a sight for sore celeb spotters, sporting a chic new haircut and smashing fuchsia dress.
1998 N.Y. Post (Nexis) 27 Feb. 9 It's a celeb stalker's paradise.
2000 Sunday Times (Nexis) 12 Nov. The test of true celeb endorsement for a hotel is..that they choose to have their wedding there.
2009 Conf. & Incentive Trav. July 20 A fantastic website that keeps me on trend with fashion and in tune with the latest celeb gossip.
C2. Instrumental, as celeb-filled, celeb-obsessed, etc.
ΚΠ
1963 Pittsburgh Courier 27 July (headline) 7 Louis cheered as great American champ at celeb-packed salute.
1989 Toronto Star (Nexis) 16 Mar. c1 Universal [Studios] is planning a..celeb-filled bash featuring Dream cast and director Ron Howard.
1999 Observer 5 Sept. g8/1 In congested, celeb-obsessed London, anyone of any note probably does have a case when they whinge about the lack of privacy.
2014 Variety (Nexis) 9 Dec. (Biz section) A celeb-studded soiree that draws..droves of A-list talent.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1907