notoriety

[noh-tuh-rahy-i-tee]

noun

plural

notorieties 

1. the state, quality, or character of being notorious or widely known.

   a craze for notoriety.

   Synonyms: infamy, shame, disrepute

2. Chiefly British.,  a notorious or celebrated person.

Word History and Origins

Origin of notoriety¹

1585–95; < Medieval Latin nōtōrietās, equivalent to nōtōri ( us ) notorious + -etās, variant (after -i- ) of -ity

Example Sentences

The ghost tours in New Orleans are borderline legendary, with popular offerings focusing on the supernatural, New Orleans’ “Casket Girls,” and on the origins of Marie Laveau’s rise to notoriety as a voodoo priestess.

Read more on MarketWatch

He let the weather itself dictate the type of immersive experience the album could be, even as it also chronicles his layered chase for notoriety and glory.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"This alleged scheme wreaked havoc across the nation, exploiting the notoriety of some and the wallets of others to finance the Italian crime families," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher Raia.

Read more on BBC

Winston’s rise to notoriety sets the stage for “Bloodline,” which dwells on the upbringing of those children in the shadow of their con-artist father.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Charles Manson’s son, Michael Brunner, speaks to a reporter about his father’s legacy and notoriety for the first time in 26 years.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• celebrity 
• fame 
• flak 
• infamy 
• opprobrium 
• renown 
• spotlight 

When To Use

What does notoriety mean?

Notoriety is the state or quality of being famous or well-known, especially for a negative reason.If often means the state or quality of being notorious, which is especially used to describe people who are widely known and viewed unfavorably for their actions, such as notorious criminals. It can also be applied to events, as in a notorious scandal.This sense of notorious is often used interchangeably with the word infamous. Strictly speaking, infamous means having, deserving, or resulting in a bad or evil reputation, while notorious usually implies that a person is both famous and disliked. Still, they usually mean just about the same thing. A noun form of infamous, infamy, is often used interchangeably with notoriety.Notorious can also mean known for a particular trait or action, not necessarily a bad one, as in My aunt is notorious for arriving late to family events. Notoriety can refer to the state of being known in this way. In some cases, it can mean much the same thing as fame, and in fact the two words are often used side by side, as in It’s unbelievable what some people will do for fame and notoriety. Notoriety is often discussed as being earned, gained, or achieved, as in The company gained notoriety for its irreverent marketing campaigns. Example: He gained notoriety for his role in the scandal, and his reputation has never recovered.