big nameˌbig ˈname noun [countable] 
Examples
Poor attendance at the concert was put down to the lack of big names.
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- None of the soloists are big names yet, but there's a lot of talent there.
- He told me it was important for me to understand he was a very big name in his own town.
- The athlete-trainer had a successful business, a big name, a wife and a child in the Soviet Union.
Longman Language Activatora famous person► star
a famous person or group, especially a musician, actor etc: a very famous and successful actor, entertainer, or sports player: · Hollings' latest movie role could make her a big star.movie/rock/tennis etc star: · John Cusack is one of my favourite movie stars.· She was once married to a well-known football star.big star: · If he becomes a big TV star, we'll probably never hear from him again.
► celebrity also celeb informal someone who is well known, for example as an entertainer or sports player, and who is often seen on television or written about in newspapers: · People waited outside for the chance to see some celebrities.· The bar is a good place to go if you want to spot some celebs.TV/showbusiness/media etc celebrity: · The club is popular with media celebrities and literary types.celebrity interview/photograph/biography etc: · Mattie reads mainly tabloids and celebrity biographies.celebrity golf tournament/game show (=in which celebrities take part): · Nash played in a celebrity golf tournament while in Canada.minor celebrity (=not extremely famous, popular, or successful): · Six minor celebrities took part in the charity "Big Brother" programme.
► superstar an actor, musician, or sports player who is famous all over the world: · Janet Jackson became a superstar largely because of her exciting music videos.radio/TV/basketball etc superstar: · Hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky played for L.A. before retiring.
► personality someone who is well known because they often appear on television and at public events: · For years she was one of the best-loved personalities in the newspaper gossip columns.TV/radio/sports etc personality: · Radio personality Don Imus has gotten in trouble again for what he said on the air.
► big name informal a famous and successful performer: · Eric Hawkins, one of the big names of modern American dance
► legend someone who has become very famous over a long period of time, especially because they are very good at a particular activity: · Among Mexican music fans, Fernandez is a legend.living legend/legend in somebody's own lifetime (=someone who has become a legend while still alive): · Michael Jordan is a living legend of basketball.
► household name a person, company, or product that is a household name is so famous that everyone knows their name: · Coca-Cola is a household name all over the world.make somebody/something a household name: · Ralph Nader's consumer activism has made him a household name in the U.S.
WORD SETS► Performingacrobat, nounact, verbacting, nounactor, nounactress, nounagent, nounarena, nounbig name, nounbill, nounblack comedy, nounbook, verbcast, nouncasting, nounclown, nouncomedian, nouncomedienne, nouncomedy, nouncomic, nouncompany, nounconcert hall, nounconjure, verbconjurer, nounconjuring, nounconservatoire, nounconservatory, nouncontortionist, noundisplay, noundouble act, nounduo, nounemcee, nounenact, verbencore, nounentertainer, nounentertainment, nounfestival, nounfinale, nounfirst night, nounfool, noungala, noungrand finale, nounguest, nounham, nounheadline, verbheartthrob, nounhigh wire, nounhypnotist, nounimpersonator, nounimpresario, nouninterlude, nounintermission, nouninterpret, verbinterpretation, nounintro, nounlive, adjectivemagic, nounmagician, nounmagic wand, nounmajorette, nounmanager, nounmask, nounmatinée, nounmatinée idol, nounmegastar, nounmime, nounminstrel, nounnarration, nounopening night, nounPA, nounpart, nounperform, verbperformance, nounperformer, nounpresentation, nounprincipal, nounproducer, nounprogramme, nounprompt, verbprompt, nounpublic, nounpunchline, nounraconteur, nounrecast, verbrecitation, nounrehearsal, nounrehearse, verbrepertoire, nounreprise, nounringside, nounroadshow, nounrole-play, nounsafety net, nounshow business, nounshowgirl, nounshow-stopping, adjectivesketch, nounslapstick, nounsleight of hand, nounsmash hit, nounsnake charmer, nounsold out, adjectiveson et lumière, nounstand-up, adjectivestand-up, nounstar, verbstooge, nounstraight man, nounstripper, nounstriptease, nounsuperstar, nountattoo, nountightrope, nountour, nountroubadour, nountroupe, nountumbler, nounventriloquist, nounvirtuoso, nounwooden, adjective
Poor attendance at the concert was put down to the lack of big names.