German word

Ruhm

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁuːm/

Meaning

  • masculine nounfame

Example

Der Glanz des Ruhms verblasst oft.

The luster of fame often fades.

Illustration for Ruhm (fame)

More examples

Viele Künstler arbeiten hart, um zu Ruhm zu kommen.

Many artists work hard to achieve fame.

Core concept

An earned laurel remains attached to a person's name as people remember and praise the achievement.

Common phrases

  • zu Ruhm kommen

    achieve fame

  • seinen Ruhm mehren

    enhance one's fame

  • im Ruhm stehen

    be renowned

Similar words

Berühmtheit: The state of being widely known and famous.
Ansehen: Respect and trust granted by society or those around someone.
Ruf: The public opinion formed about a person or organization.
Ehre: Respect or an honor publicly granted for an act or achievement.

Definition in German

Ruhm bezeichnet den Zustand, dass jemand durch Taten oder Erfolge weithin bekannt und bewundert ist.

Word origin

Old High German ruom and Middle High German ruom are the earlier forms of Ruhm, which shares its Germanic root with rühmen, meaning to praise.

Usage tips

  • Ruhm often suggests positive admiration, while Bekanntheit more neutrally describes how widely someone or something is known.

Other meanings

  • glorynoun

Opposites

  • Unbekanntheitanonymitynoun
  • Bedeutungslosigkeitmeaninglessnessnoun

Related words

  • ruhmreichgloriousadjective
  • Ruhmsuchtthirst for famenoun
  • ruhmlosingloriousadjective

Word lists with this word