public figure — famous person
collocationB2IELTS 5.5+neutralcommon
A person who is well-known to many people, often because of their work in areas like politics, entertainment, or sports.
Say it like a native
Textbook She is an individual of considerable public prominence.
Native She's a well-known public figure.
'An individual of public prominence' is stiff; 'public figure' is the set phrase.
Pattern: public figure (noun)
In use
- As a public figure, she has to be careful about what she says online.society
- In my opinion, public figures should set a good example because many people look up to them.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ He is a public figured.
✓ He is a public figure.
It's 'figure' (the noun), not 'figured'.
Common collocations
a public figure— a public figure, well-known, a prominent public figure, in the public eye
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'private individual,' which refers to someone who is not famous or widely known.