popularity
AmericanOther Word Forms
Derived 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.
Platner, an oyster farmer and Marine Corps veteran, emerged as a political outsider and quickly gained popularity.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
Prediction markets face growing concerns around insider trading as they continue to surge in popularity.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
Soccer has been growing steadily in popularity in the U.S. in recent years.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
Though he doesn’t condone the bikes’ misuse, Leisner said their popularity stems in part from how easy they are to ride.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
The popularity of malls gained significant momentum during this period, peaking in 1992.
From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly
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.
