popularity

noun

pop·​u·​lar·​i·​ty ˌpä-pyə-ˈler-ə-tē 

ˌpä-pyə-ˈla-rə-tē

: the quality or state of being popular

Synonyms of popularity

• vogue
• favor
• fashionability
• fashionableness

Examples of popularity in a Sentence

the increasing popularity of cell phones

Recent Examples on the Web

During pandemic-era lockdowns, when everything from gyms and night clubs to pubs were shut, running exploded in popularity, with Gen Z pushing the surge. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

But the movement has soared in popularity and mounted the biggest challenge to Modi in his 12 years in power. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 24 July 2026

That has resulted in Merz’s popularity sinking to rock-bottom levels, while the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, has gained support on the back of widespread discontent. — ABC News, 24 July 2026

Social Security’s popularity comes from its universality, and if well-off people see their benefits reduced, the program could lose some of its widespread appeal. — Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

popular + -ity

Note: Probably an English coinage rather than a loan from Latin populāritās "fellow-citizenship, courtship of popular favor" (Late Latin, "population, general opinion").

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing popularity

• popularity contest

Rhymes for popularity

• angularity
• bipolarity
• capillarity
• cellularity
• circularity
• familiarity
• granularity
• insincerity
• insularity
• modularity
• osmolarity
• regularity