popularity

[pop-yuh-lar-i-tee]

noun

1. the quality or fact of being popular.

   Synonyms: repute, fame, fashion, vogue, acclaim

2. the favor of the general public or of a particular group of people.

   His popularity with television audiences is unrivaled.

   Synonyms: repute, fame, fashion, vogue, acclaim

Other Word Forms

• nonpopularity noun
• overpopularity noun
• semipopularity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of popularity¹

First recorded in 1540–50, popularity is from the Latin word populāritās a courting of popular favor. See popular, -ity

Example Sentences

But his insurgent popularity has since waned, with recent polling putting him close to one percent of the vote.

Read more on Barron's

“Hamas also knows that they’re not probably going to politically survive this if things continue down this route, especially given that their popularity is declining.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Critics say the administration is using the military’s popularity as political cover while other workers — from TSA agents to park rangers — go without pay.

Read more on Salon

Over time, he increasingly opposed the state’s restrictions on religion, founding Zion Church in Beijing in 2007, one of many unregistered ministries—often dubbed “house churches” or “underground churches”—that were surging in popularity nationwide.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

THC drinks and cannabis have grown in popularity too, as Americans look to relax without a hangover the next morning.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• acceptance 
• acclaim 
• demand 
• fame 
• following 
• reputation