What does cameo mean?
Word: Cameo
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Cameo means a short appearance in a film, play or show by a well-known actor or person. It is also an oval brooch or other jewellery with a carved design.
How do you spell cameo?
Syllables: cam - e - o
Tricky part: The e in the middle is said like the ee in see, so pupils often write camio. The word ends eo, not io.
Watch out for: camio, kameo
Memory tip: Cameo ends just like stereo: both finish with eo, said ee-oh.
Cameo in a sentence
Example 1: Everyone in the cinema clapped when the old film star appeared in a cameo near the end.
Example 2: Aunt Clara pinned a cream and pink cameo to her collar for the wedding.
Example 3: Sofia's favourite author has a cameo in the film of her book, sitting quietly in a cafe.
Fun Fact
Cameo jewellery is often cut from a shell or stone with two coloured layers, so the carved figure stands out in one colour against a background of the other.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
One letter in this word is not needed. Find it:
cammeo
a) c
b) m
c) o
d) a
Show answer
b) m. Only one m sits between the a and the e.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt one:
1. applause 2. rehersal 3. cameo 4. audience
a) the clapping of a crowd that enjoyed a show
b) a practice of a show before the real performance
c) a short appearance by a famous person in a film or play
d) the people who watch or listen to a show
Show answer
b) a practice of a show before the real performance. Rehearsal is the misspelt word: it needs ea after the h.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word cameo as used in the sentence:
The tennis champion's cameo in the comedy lasted barely a minute, but fans loved it.
a) walk-on
b) starring role
c) encore
d) premiere
Show answer
a) walk-on. A walk-on is a very small part, which is what a brief appearance by a famous person is; a starring role is the opposite.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. An actor famous for leading roles who agrees to a cameo will probably ____.
a) appear on screen only briefly
b) direct the film from start to end
c) write the whole script himself
d) play the hero in every scene
Show answer
a) appear on screen only briefly
2. A review that calls a short story a cameo of seaside life suggests that the story ____.
a) gives visitors a map of the town
b) tells its whole history in detail
c) paints a small, clear picture of it
d) argues against living by the sea
Show answer
c) paints a small, clear picture of it
