berömt

Berømt is a Norwegian adjective that means famous or renowned. It is used to describe people, places, events or works that are widely known and recognized within a culture or society. The term often implies notability beyond ordinary awareness, usually due to accomplishments, influence, cultural impact, or historical significance.

In usage, berømt can modify a noun or be used predicatively. For example, en berømt forfatter (a famous author) or et berømt maleri (a famous painting), and, in a sentence, Han er berømt for sine romaner (He is famous for his novels). The word is common in media, biographies, travel writing, and everyday conversation when the speaker wants to signal high public recognition. The noun form is berømmelse, meaning fame or renown.

Berømt sits on the stronger side of the spectrum compared with kjent (well-known). While both convey recognition, berømt often carries a sense of public attention, influence, or cultural significance. It can be used neutrally or with positive connotations, though context determines whether the emphasis is admiration or notoriety.

Cross-linguistically, berømt has cognates in other Scandinavian languages: Danish berømt and Swedish berömd, reflecting shared roots in the region’s vocabulary for fame and renown. In Norwegian discourse, berømt appears across journalism, literature, and cultural commentary as a concise marker of notable status.