Notorious
/nəʊˈtɔːriəs/
Definitions
Widely and unfavorably known; infamous.
/nəʊˈtɔːriəs/
Famous or well-known, typically for something bad
The town is notorious for its haunted house.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone everyone knows, but for all the wrong reasons, like a character in a movie who's always causing trouble. That person is notorious!
👶 For kids: When someone is notorious, it means they're famous, but usually for doing something bad.
More Examples
The restaurant is notorious for its terrible service.
He was a notorious gambler who owed money to many people.
How It's Used
"The city is notorious for its high crime rate."
"Al Capone was a notorious gangster during the Prohibition era."
Idioms & expressions
notorious B.I.G.
Refers to the famous rapper, The Notorious B.I.G.
"The Notorious B.I.G. was one of the most influential rappers of all time."
From Late Latin *notōrius* ('well-known, public'), from *nota* ('mark, sign'). Originally meant 'well-known' or 'famous', but evolved to predominantly imply 'infamous' due to association with negative publicity.
Historically, the word could also simply mean 'well-known' or 'famous' without necessarily implying negativity, but this usage is now rare.
Memory tip
Think of a notice board - if everyone's notice is negative, it becomes notorious.
Word Origin
"well-known or publicly known."