Basic Details
Word: Renown
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Fame and respect earned by doing something well.
Synonyms: fame, eminence, prestige, celebrity
Antonyms: obscurity
Word origin: From Old French renon, from renomer, to make famous, literally to name again.
How to Spell Renown
Syllables: re - nown
Tricky part: It ends in own, as in town and gown, and rhymes with down. There is no k, even though it is about being known.
Watch out for: reknown, renoun, rennown
Memory tip: Renown rhymes with crown, and a king's renown and his crown share the same own spelling, with no k in either.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The weavers of Kanchipuram have won renown for their silk sarees.
Example 2: She was a doctor of great renown in her small town.
Example 3: The young singer's renown spread after one video was shared online.
Fun Fact
Renown and noun share a root: both go back to Latin nomen, a name. A person of renown is someone whose name is repeated by many people.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word renown as used in the sentence:
The sitar player won renown far beyond India for his concerts in Europe and America.
a) fame
b) wealth
c) criticism
d) obscurity
Show answer
a) fame. Winning renown means becoming famous; obscurity is being unknown.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
rennown
a) w
b) o
c) e
d) n
Show answer
d) n. Only one n follows the re, as in re-nown.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. hieght 2. concience 3. renown 4. gaurdian
a) the sense of right and wrong inside you
b) how tall something is
c) a person who looks after a child
d) fame earned for good work
Show answer
d) fame earned for good work. Guardian, conscience and height all have letters in the wrong order or missing; renown is the correct one.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A scientist of renown is one who is ____.
a) new to the job
b) rarely in the news
c) well known and respected
d) often forgetful
Show answer
c) well known and respected
2. Which phrase has the same meaning as 'won renown'?
a) lost money
b) became famous
c) fell ill
d) moved abroad
Show answer
b) became famous
