célebre

Célebre is an adjective used in Spanish and Portuguese, with the French cognate célèbr e or c é lè bre in modern spelling. It means famous, celebrated, or well known, and can describe people, events, works, or places that enjoy broad recognition. The term typically conveys a sense of public renown and often implies cultural or historical significance beyond mere familiarity. It is generally more formal or literary than synonyms such as famoso or renombrado.

Etymology and forms:célebre derives from Latin celeber, related to celebrare “to celebrate.” In Spanish and Portuguese the form célebre carries an acute accent on the first e, marking the stress. In French the corresponding word is célèbre, written with different diacritics to indicate pronunciation. The underlying idea in these languages is shared: something notable enough to be celebrated or widely remembered.

Usage: In Spanish, célebre is common in literature, historiography and formal speech. It can modify a noun as in un personaje célebre, un hecho célebre, or un episodio célebre, often signaling a widely known or historically significant instance. In Portuguese and French alike, the cognate forms are used in a comparable sense to denote fame or renown, frequently in neutral or positive contexts rather than casual everyday speech.

See also: famoso, renombrado, notorio. The term célebre remains a staple in formal discourse when referring to celebrated figures, events or works that have left a lasting mark on culture or history.