notorious

adjective

no·​to·​ri·​ous nō-ˈtȯr-ē-əs 

nə-

: generally known and talked of

iron is a notorious conductor of heat

—Lewis Mumford

especially : widely and unfavorably known

a notorious gangster

an area notorious for soot, smog, and dust

—Pliotron

Did you know?

For those who don’t give a hang about a bad reputation, being notorious for unpopular behavior is no biggie. (Being notorious for topping the Billboard charts? Now that's a Biggie.) Although notorious (which comes from Latin noscere, "to come to know") can be a synonym of famous, it's more often a synonym of infamous, having long ago developed the additional implication of someone or something disreputable. The Book of Common Prayer of 1549 includes one of the first known uses of the unfavorable meaning in print, referring to "notorious synners." You know what they say: more notorious synners, more problems.

Synonyms

• discreditable
• disgraceful
• dishonorable
• disreputable
• ignominious
• infamous
• louche
• opprobrious
• shady
• shameful
• shoddy
• shy
• unrespectable

Choose the Right Synonym for notorious

famous, renowned, celebrated, noted, notorious, distinguished, eminent, illustrious mean known far and wide.

famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.

a notorious gangster

distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

Examples of notorious in a Sentence

The coach is notorious for his violent outbursts.

a notorious mastermind of terrorist activities

Recent Examples on the Web

Former detainees at the notorious Saydnaya prison near Damascus said Amer had disappeared in mid-April 2015 after being tortured there. —Irene Nasser, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024

Those who did speak out often disappeared into Syria's notorious prison system, known for soul-crushing torture and killings. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024

Others include the unquestionable perpetrators of notorious acts of mass terror, such as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (the Boston Marathon bombing), Dylann Roof (the Emanuel AME Church mass shooting in Charleston), and Robert Bowers (the Tree of Life Synagogue mass shooting in Pittsburgh). —The Editors, National Review, 16 Dec. 2024

Emilia Pérez follows the story of the title character (Gascón), a notorious Mexican cartel leader who undergoes gender-affirming surgery to start living life as her most authentic self. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin notorius, from Late Latin notorium information, indictment, from Latin noscere to come to know — more at know

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

notorious

adjective

no·​to·​ri·​ous nō-ˈtōr-ē-əs 

nə-,

-ˈtȯr-

: generally known and talked of

especially : widely and unfavorably known

notoriously adverb

Legal Definition

notorious

adjective

no·​to·​ri·​ous nō-ˈtōr-ē-əs 

: generally known and talked of

adverse possession created by open, continuous, notorious, and adverse use