Notoriety
/ˌnoʊtəˈraɪəti/
nounC1
Definition
Notoriety is when a person, place, or thing is well known, but for negative reasons. It means being famous because of bad behavior, mistakes, or problems. People remember the person or thing, but usually with a feeling of disapproval or dislike.
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See It in Action
Being well known for bad reasons
- •The criminal gained notoriety after the robbery.
- •The company earned notoriety for poor customer service.
- •The actor’s scandal brought him unwanted notoriety.
A bad reputation that spreads widely
- •The town has notoriety because of its high crime rate.
- •The product’s failure gave it notoriety in the market.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "notoriety" like "fame," but with a bad meaning—people know you, but not for good reasons.
- ✓Picture a loud news headline about someone doing something wrong that everyone talks about.
- ✓It's the feeling when you hear a name and think, "Oh, that person did something bad or strange."
- ✓Sounds like "no-TO-ry-eh-tee" → Imagine someone saying "No! To the wrong story!" because the story is bad news.
- ✓Imagine famous villains in movies or stories who everyone knows but does not like.
- ✓NOT like "glory" (good fame), notoriety is about bad reputation.
- ✓NOT like "privacy" (being unknown), notoriety means many people know you.
- ✓NOT like "popularity" (liked by many), notoriety means known but not liked.
Try Other Words
- •Infamy: very bad fame, known for terrible actions (Use when the bad reputation is very strong or shocking)
- •Disrepute: bad reputation or loss of respect (Use when focusing on respect lost rather than just being known)
- •Bad reputation: general phrase for being known negatively (Use in simple, everyday conversation)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "not-" (Latin prefix meaning "known") + "oriety" (from Latin "notus" meaning "known," related to "fame")
- •Etymology: From Latin "notorietas," meaning the state of being known, often with a negative sense
- •Historical development: Originally meant being known, but over time came to mean being known for bad reasons
- •Modern usage: Used to describe people, places, or things famous mostly for negative reasons like crimes, scandals, or problems
Reflect & Connect
•Can a person have both notoriety and respect at the same time? How?
•How does social media affect the spread of notoriety today compared to the past?
Fill in the blanks
1.The politician’s scandal caused ___ because many people heard about his bad actions.
2.Notoriety often comes ___ after someone makes a serious mistake or crime.
3.Unlike positive fame, notoriety usually makes people feel ___ or concerned.
4.The company tried to fix its ___ by improving customer service and apologizing.
5.Celebrities sometimes gain notoriety ___ their behavior, not their talents.
6.When a place has notoriety, it means it is ___ for negative reasons.
7.People with notoriety often find it hard to ___ their bad reputation.