Definition

The state of being well-known for something bad or negative.

Example

The criminal gained notoriety after his escape from prison.

Conversation

Did you hear about that new restaurant that gained some notoriety for its wild food challenges?

Yeah, I saw it on social media! People are going crazy over it.

I wonder if the notoriety is worth the hype or just a marketing gimmick.

It might be a bit of both, but I’d love to try it out anyway!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Notoriety is formed from "notorius" (from Latin, meaning well-known or famous) and the suffix "-ety" (which forms nouns indicating a state or condition). The word refers to the state of being well-known, often for something negative or infamous.

Memory Tip

Think of 'notorious' meaning well-known, and remember that 'notoriety' refers to the state of being well-known, especially for something bad.

Visually Confused Words