cameo

IPA/ˈkæmiəʊ/
KK[kˈæmiˌo]IPA/ˈkæmiəʊ/

cameo — noun

  • cameosingular
  • cameosplural

1. a brief role in a film, television episode, or play during which a famous person

1.nounB2
Definition

a brief role in a film, television episode, or play during which a famous person makes a short appearance but is not one of the main performers

Example

Shirin loved spotting her favourite singer in a surprise cameo during the new comedy series.

surprise cameo — collocation describing an unexpected brief role

The director asked the star to make a brief cameo in the film's opening scene.

make a cameo — verb + noun collocation

Common collocations
  • make a cameo
  • cameo appearance
  • brief cameo
  • surprise cameo
  • cameo role
  • appear in a cameo
Synonyms
  • cameo role

    the full phrase for this sense; more formal than 'cameo' alone

  • guest appearance

    can be longer than a cameo and may involve the actor playing themselves

  • walk-on part

    typically even shorter than a cameo, with no speaking lines

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a cameo (in something)

cameo + noun (cameo appearance)

Common Mistakes

She had a cameo in the movie as the main villain.
She had a cameo in the movie as a minor character.
A cameo is always brief and small; the lead or main villain cannot have a cameo.
He made a cameo for three seasons of the show.
He made a guest appearance for three seasons of the show.
A cameo is a single short scene, not a recurring role.

2. a small but noticeable part that someone plays in a game, contest, event, or oth

2.nounC1
Definition

a small but noticeable part that someone plays in a game, contest, event, or other activity outside of film or theatre

Example

Tunde made a brief cameo in the charity football game and scored one goal.

brief cameo in a sports context — extended usage

The pop star's cameo at the fashion show drew more attention than the clothes did.

Common collocations
  • brief cameo
  • short cameo
  • make a cameo
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

a cameo (in something)

Usage Note

This sense extends the film meaning to any kind of event or activity where someone joins briefly in a way that people notice.

3. a decorative accessory with a carved pattern that rises in one colour above a se

3.nounB2
Definition

a decorative accessory with a carved pattern that rises in one colour above a second colour, often oval in shape

Example

Mira wears her grandmother's antique cameo brooch every year at the family reunion dinner.

antique cameo brooch — noun + adjective collocation

The shop displayed a cameo ring with a white flower carved on dark blue agate.

cameo ring — jewellery collocation

Common collocations
  • cameo brooch
  • cameo ring
  • cameo pendant
  • antique cameo
  • cameo jewellery
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

a cameo (brooch / ring / pendant)

Usage Note

Traditionally, cameo jewellery uses two layers of stone or shell, with the upper layer carved into the design.

Common Mistakes

She wore a cameo around her neck.' (when referring to a pendant)
She wore a cameo pendant around her neck.
'Cameo' alone describes the carving technique, not the type of jewellery; specify the item.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A 'cameo' is a very brief on-screen or on-stage appearance by a well-known person, often just a single scene with few or no lines. A 'guest appearance' is generally longer — a guest star may appear in an entire episode of a TV series or a whole act of a play, and the role is often advertised in advance. A 'cameo role' is essentially synonymous with 'cameo' but places more emphasis on the character being part of the story. For example, Stan Lee's one-line walk-through in a Marvel movie is a classic cameo, while a retired actor returning for one full episode of a drama would be announced as a 'guest appearance'.

cameo ↗guest appearancecameo role

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • cameo appearance
  • make a cameo
  • brief cameo
  • surprise cameo

Prepositions

  • in a cameo (role)

Etymology

LatinItalianEnglish

The word came from Italian 'cameo', which traces back to Latin 'cammaeus', meaning a carved gemstone in relief. For centuries it referred only to jewellery and carved gems. In the early 20th century, the term was borrowed into film and theatre — a 'cameo role' was likened to a small, finely detailed gem — and by the 1940s it described a brief appearance by a well-known actor.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a