Cool MateFamous vs Notable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Famous
Top 1,000 (very common)A1
Notable
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Most common: Famous
| Famous | Notable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfeɪməs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfeɪməs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnəʊtəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnəʊtəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Well-known or popular. | Something important or worth remembering. |
| Example | Marie Curie is a famous scientist known for her work in radioactivity. | a **notable success/achievement/example** |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, become, make somebody/something, extremely, fairly, very, as, for, rich and famous | be, especially, particularly, for |
| Antonyms | unknown, obscure, anonymous | insignificant, trivial, unremarkable |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'infamous', which means well-known for negative reasons., Using 'famous' as a verb when it is only an adjective., Mistakenly thinking 'famous' is only used for people. | Confusing 'notable' with 'noteworthy' - they are similar but have different nuances., Using 'notable' as a verb instead of an adjective., Misplacing the adjective in a sentence, leading to awkward phrasing. |
| Usage notes | Typically used to describe people, places, or things that are widely recognized. Works well in both formal and informal contexts but can be less suitable for everyday conversations. | Use 'notable' to emphasize importance or distinction, particularly in academic or formal contexts. It may not fit casual conversations where simpler words like 'important' may be more suitable. |
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Frequently asked questions: Famous vs Notable
What's the difference between Famous and Notable?
Famous: Well-known or popular. Notable: Something important or worth remembering.
Which is more common: Famous and Notable?
Famous is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Famous and Notable?
Notable is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Famous and Notable the same CEFR level?
Famous: A1, Notable: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Famous: Marie Curie is a famous scientist known for her work in radioactivity. Notable: a **notable success/achievement/example**
Can I use Famous and Notable interchangeably?
Not always. Famous and Notable are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.