notoriety

noun

no·​to·​ri·​e·​ty ˌnō-tə-ˈrī-ə-tē 

plural notorieties

1

: the quality or state of being notorious

the city's notoriety for corrupt and incompetent government

—R. E. Merriam

2

: a notorious person

love to have notabilities and notorieties under one roof

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

Synonyms

• celebrity
• star
• personality

Examples of notoriety in a Sentence

He achieved instant fame and notoriety with the release of his film.

She gained notoriety when nude photographs of her appeared in a magazine.

His comment about the President has given him a notoriety that he enjoys very much.

Recent Examples on the Web

There is perhaps no nail color more famous and more deserving of its notoriety as Big Apple Red. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025

Along with the Cannes Film Festival, Venice has soared in popularity and notoriety as their North American counterparts — most notably Toronto and Sundance — have struggled to remain relevant. —Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025

That's when the notoriety and everything began with Michael Jordan. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Advertisement On TikTok, witches have gained a new level of notoriety—and commercialization. —Taylor Crumpton, Time, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French notorieté, from Medieval Latin notorietat-, notorietas, from notorius

First Known Use

circa 1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for notoriety

• contrariety
• impropriety
• inebriety
• antianxiety
• intersociety
• anxiety
• impiety
• propriety
• satiety
• sobriety
• society
• variety

Kids Definition

notoriety

noun

no·​to·​ri·​ety

ˌnōt-ə-ˈrī-ət-ē

plural notorieties

: the quality or state of being notorious