Famed means widely known and celebrated for something notable. When someone is famed for their achievements, many people have heard about them and what makes them special. The scientist Marie Curie was famed for her groundbreaking research on radioactivity. The famed detective Sherlock Holmes (though fictional) became known worldwide for his brilliant methods of solving mysteries.

The word implies being known for something specific and impressive. A city might be famed for its beautiful architecture, or a restaurant famed for its incredible pizza. When we say the famed explorer Roald Amundsen led the first expedition to reach the South Pole, we're pointing to both his wide recognition and the specific accomplishment that earned it.

Famed works especially well when you want to emphasize why someone or something became well-known. It's closely related to famous, but famed often sounds more dignified and focuses more on the achievement itself than on celebrity or attention.