popularity
AmericanOther Word Forms
- nonpopularity noun
- overpopularity noun
- semipopularity noun
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.
In the mid-19th century, phrenology was reaching its peak popularity in the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026
Lazzareschi realized the popularity of the movie when children started requesting “Golden” and other songs from the soundtrack during dance classes.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
By the Middle Ages, pretzels rose in popularity across Europe, so much so that it was documented in religious manuscripts.
From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026
But its popularity began to wane, as teenagers moved away from the colourful earrings, necklaces and hair bobbles the brand was known for, says fashion expert Priya Raj.
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
The harpsichord’s heyday lasted from this period until the piano gained popularity in the mid-eighteenth century.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
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.
