noun
cameo
KAM-ee-oh/ˈkæmiəʊ/
A brief, vivid contribution within a larger work.
The famous actor makes a brief cameo near the film's end.
Etymology
A cameo was a small carving that stood out in relief. Through the sense 'short literary sketch or portrait,' it came to mean a small but distinctive performance that stands out among minor parts.
In context
That 50-second cameo from Nick Cage is the only part of this movie that needs to be seen. That part is weird. It's funny and it doesn't outstay its welcome.
More examples
- Her memoir includes a vivid cameo of the village doctor.
- The director appears in a silent cameo as a passerby.
- These short literary cameos bring the neighborhood to life.
Forms
cameo · cameos
Similar words
- appearance
- Any presence in a work, while cameo emphasizes brevity and distinctiveness.