Notorious
/noʊˈtɔːriəs/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Notorious describes a person, place, or thing that many people know about because of bad behavior, mistakes, or problems. It is often used when the bad reputation is famous or widely recognized.
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See It in Action
Known widely for bad reasons
- •The city is notorious for its heavy traffic and pollution.
- •That restaurant is notorious for slow service.
- •The criminal was notorious for his many robberies.
Having a bad reputation that many people recognize
- •He became notorious after the scandal.
- •The area is notorious as a dangerous neighborhood.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "notorious" like "famous," but only for bad reasons instead of good ones.
- ✓Picture a big sign with a name and a warning, like "Beware of dog" — people know it, but not happily.
- ✓It's the feeling when you hear a story about someone who always causes trouble, and everyone talks about it.
- ✓Sounds like "no-TO-ree-us" → imagine saying "No to" something bad that everyone knows.
- ✓Think of famous villains in movies or stories, like the "notorious" pirate Blackbeard, known for being dangerous.
- ✓NOT like "famous" (known for good or bad), "notorious" is only for bad or negative reasons.
- ✓NOT like "infamous" (also bad reputation), but "notorious" is more common in everyday speech.
- ✓NOT like "unknown" or "private," "notorious" means very public and well known.
Try Other Words
- •Infamous: known for bad reasons, often stronger or more serious than notorious (Use when you want to emphasize very bad reputation)
- •Well-known: known by many people, neutral meaning (Use when you want to avoid negative meaning)
- •Disreputable: having a bad reputation, more formal (Use in serious or formal writing)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: no- (negative prefix) + torius (from Latin root related to "torment" or "tormenting," meaning causing trouble)
- •Etymology: From Latin "notorius," meaning well known, especially for bad reasons
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s in English to describe people or things known widely, often negatively
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe people, places, or things famous for bad behavior or qualities
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be notorious but still popular or liked by some people? How?
•How does the word "notorious" change the way we think about someone compared to just "famous"?
Fill in the blanks
1.The city is notorious ___ its heavy traffic and air pollution problems.
2.She became notorious ___ her rude behavior at public events.
3.Unlike "famous," notorious always has a ___ meaning.
4.The restaurant is notorious for being ___ slow during busy hours.
5.People often avoid that neighborhood because it is notorious ___ crime.
6.He shrugged off being called notorious, showing he did not care about his ___ reputation.
7.The word notorious is often used when someone is well known for ___ actions or mistakes.