Definition of notorious
: 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
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Examples of notorious in a Sentence
The coach is notorious for his violent outbursts.
a notorious mastermind of terrorist activities
Recent Examples of notorious from the Web
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Police arrested Giuseppe Giorgi early Friday in a bunker inside his home in San Luca, the base of some of the most notorious clans of the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta mob.
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At Polk Correctional Institution, north of Durham, a prison sergeant reportedly provided cellphones to a notorious gang leader.
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For all of you notorious overpackers, this ultralight suitcase is your answer.
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Hapilon is one of the most senior commanders of the Abu Sayyaf, which is notorious for kidnappings for ransom, beheadings and bombings.
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McLEAN, Va. -- A federal judge on Friday tossed out two life sentences for one of Virginia's most notorious criminals, sniper Lee Boyd Malvo, and ordered Virginia courts to hold new sentencing hearings.
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The Tetris-like puzzle game is notorious for being irresistible to players; King reported revenue of $1.9 billion in 2013 on the popularity of Candy Crush.
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Henry believes the notorious Jack Sparrow (Depp) will help him find the trident of Poseidon to break the curse.
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That rebellion burned for years and culminated in the Syrian regime’s notorious massacre of 10,000 to 30,000 people in the city of Hama in 1982.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'notorious'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Notorious was adopted into English in the 16th century from Medieval Latin notorius, itself from Late Latin's noun notorium, meaning "information" or "indictment." "Notorium," in turn, derives from the Latin verb noscere, meaning "to come to know." Although "notorious" can be a synonym of "famous," meaning simply "widely known," it long ago developed the additional implication of someone or something unpleasant or undesirable. The Book of Common Prayer Offices of 1549 includes the first known use of the unfavorable meaning in print, referring to "notorious synners."
Origin and Etymology of notorious
Medieval Latin notorius, from Late Latin notorium information, indictment, from Latin noscere to come to know — more at know
Synonym Discussion of notorious
NOTORIOUS Defined for English Language Learners
notorious
playDefinition of notorious for English Language Learners
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: well-known or famous especially for something bad
NOTORIOUS Defined for Kids
notorious
playDefinition of notorious for Students
: widely known especially for some bad characteristic … he caught the villain, who turned out to be a very notorious criminal. — Robert McClosky, Homer Price
notoriously
adverb She has a notoriously bad temper.Law Dictionary
notorious
playLegal Definition of notorious
: generally known and talked of adverse possession created by open, continuous, notorious, and adverse use
Learn More about notorious
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See words that rhyme with notorious Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for notorious Spanish Central: Translation of notorious Nglish: Translation of notorious for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of notorious for Arabic speakers
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