Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Famous \Fa"mous\, a. [L. famosus, fr. fama fame: cf. F. fameux.
   See {Fame}.]
   Celebrated in fame or public report; renowned; mach talked
   of; distinguished in story; -- used in either a good or a bad
   sense, chiefly the former; often followed by for; as, famous
   for erudition, for eloquence, for military skill; a famous
   pirate.

         Famous for a scolding tongue.            --Shak.

   Syn: Noted; remarkable; signal; conspicuous; celebrated;
        renowned; illustrious; eminent; transcendent; excellent.

   Usage: {Famous}, {Renowned}, {Illustrious}. Famous is applied
          to a person or thing widely spoken of as
          extraordinary; renowned is applied to those who are
          named again and again with honor; illustrious, to
          those who have dazzled the world by the splendor of
          their deeds or their virtues. See {Distinguished}.

Source : WordNet®

famous
     adj : widely known and esteemed; "a famous actor"; "a celebrated
           musician"; "a famed scientist"; "an illustrious judge";
           "a notable historian"; "a renowned painter" [syn: {celebrated},
            {famed}, {far-famed}, {illustrious}, {notable}, {noted},
            {renowned}]