cameo
noun
cam·eo ˈka-mē-ˌō 
plural cameos
1
a
: a gem carved in relief (see relief entry 1 sense 6)
especially : a small piece of sculpture on a stone or shell cut in relief in one layer with another contrasting layer serving as background
b
: a small medallion (see medallion sense 2) with a profiled head in relief
2
: a carving or sculpture made in the manner of a cameo
3
: a usually brief literary or filmic piece that brings into delicate or sharp relief the character of a person, place, or event
his cameos and short commentaries on men and manners
R. T. Dunlop
R. T. Dunlop4
: a small theatrical role usually performed by a well-known actor and often limited to a single scene
A major star appears in a cameo in the movie.
broadly : a brief appearance or role
cameo adjective
cameo verb, transitive + intransitive
Example Sentences
He has a brief cameo in the film.
Recent Examples on the Web More recently, Megan has since made her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe thanks to a twerk-tastic cameo alongside Tatiana Maslany in the latest episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 6 Sep. 2022 That’s because the artist is the big cameo of episode 3. Chris Smith, BGR, 4 Sep. 2022 But what would a Megan Thee Stallion cameo be without some twerking? Jabeen Waheed, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2022 Megan Thee Stallion officially entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe Wednesday with a cameo in the latest episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2022 Usually a celebrity cameo is just a fun wink at an audience, a way to connect the ever-expansive superhero universe to our own reality. Milan Polk, Men's Health, 1 Sep. 2022 The not-so-secret Megan Thee Stallion cameo on this week's She-Hulk: Attorney at Law sent social media into a tizzy — and that was even before the last-minute twerking! Ryan Parker, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2022 J Balvin's performance featured an interesting cameo from what appeared to be a twerking robot. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Aug. 2022 Also in the headlines was an eyebrow-raising cameo from Johnny Depp, whose virtual face was superimposed onto a giant moon man that dangled over the VMAs stage at New Jersey’s Prudential Center. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022 See More
Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 6 Sep. 2022 That’s because the artist is the big cameo of episode 3. Chris Smith, BGR, 4 Sep. 2022 But what would a Megan Thee Stallion cameo be without some twerking? Jabeen Waheed, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2022 Megan Thee Stallion officially entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe Wednesday with a cameo in the latest episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2022 Usually a celebrity cameo is just a fun wink at an audience, a way to connect the ever-expansive superhero universe to our own reality. Milan Polk, Men's Health, 1 Sep. 2022 The not-so-secret Megan Thee Stallion cameo on this week's She-Hulk: Attorney at Law sent social media into a tizzy — and that was even before the last-minute twerking! Ryan Parker, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2022 J Balvin's performance featured an interesting cameo from what appeared to be a twerking robot. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Aug. 2022 Also in the headlines was an eyebrow-raising cameo from Johnny Depp, whose virtual face was superimposed onto a giant moon man that dangled over the VMAs stage at New Jersey’s Prudential Center. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English camew, from Middle French camau, kamaheu
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
cameo
noun
as in scarab
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- scarab
- baguette
- cabochon
- rhinestone
- bauble
- solitaire
- jewelry
- zircon
- trinket
- teardrop
- brilliant
- bijou
- gemstone
- gem
- paste
- crown jewels
- rock
- birthstone
- jewel
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rough