The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
   [1913 Webster]

         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.
          [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

famous
    adj 1: 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,
           famous, illustrious, notable, noted, renowned]

The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

FAMOUS, adj.  Conspicuously miserable.

    Done to a turn on the iron, behold
        Him who to be famous aspired.
    Content?  Well, his grill has a plating of gold,
        And his twistings are greatly admired.
                                                       Hassan Brubuddy