popularity
AmericanOther Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of popularity
First recorded in 1540–50, popularity is from the Latin word populāritās a courting of popular favor. See popular, -ity
Explanation
Popularity is the quality of being well-liked and having a lot of friends and admirers. Winning a student council election isn't just about popularity — you also have to have good ideas and be willing to work hard. Having popularity means that there are many people in your corner, supporting or liking you. The popularity of an internet celebrity might disappear suddenly, while the popularity of your favorite writers and artists seems to last for generations. This kind of popularity implies being adored by people who don't even know you in person (the word comes from a Latin root meaning "the people"), while your popularity among your friends is a more personal type.
Vocabulary lists containing popularity
We the People: Popul
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Academy Awards, List 5
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popul (people)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Staffers across Kennedy’s department also use the pouches, people familiar with the matter said, as they have gained popularity across the administration and in conservative politics.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
Shrivastav says that it was her fear of the police that was exploited by the scammers and perhaps, her popularity as a stand-up comedian.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
Performers of Prince and Lamar’s caliber enjoy the spoils of their popularity.
From Salon • May 16, 2026
After a surge in popularity in the early 2000s, the Marc Jacobs fashion house lost momentum and made several strategic shifts to find a viable business model.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
Howie answered phone calls from costars, his little cousin whose popularity in school is tied to Howie’s success, more lawyers, and his parents.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
