Word: notorious

Associations

"Notorious" means famous or well-known, but often for something negative or bad. When someone or something is called notorious, it usually implies a bad reputation.

• Example 1: "He is notorious for his involvement in criminal activities." This means he is well-known for doing bad things.
• Example 2: "The restaurant is notorious for its terrible service." This means many people know that the service there is not good.
• Example 3: "She became notorious after the scandal." Here, it means she is well-known but in a bad way due to the scandal.

The synonym "famous" simply means well-known, but it does not have the negative connotation. Use "notorious" when emphasizing a negative reputation or behavior.

Substitution

Other words that can replace "notorious" include "infamous," "ill-famed," or "renowned" (with caution).

• "Infamous" is very similar, as it also means known for bad reasons, but is stronger in terms of negative reputation.
• "Ill-famed" is less common but carries the same negative meaning.
• "Renowned," on the other hand, generally means famous for good reasons, so it should be used differently.

Deconstruction

The word "notorious" comes from the Latin word "notorius," which means "known." It is formed from "notus," meaning "known" or "noted," plus the suffix "-ous," which suggests a quality of being characterized by something. It highlights that the person or thing is widely recognized for a particular (often negative) quality.

Inquiry

• Can you think of someone or something that is notorious in your country? What are they known for?
• How does being notorious affect a person's life or reputation?
• In what situations do you think "notorious" can be used, and when is it better to avoid it?