notorious

[ noh-tawr-ee-uhs, nuh- ]

adjective

1. widely and unfavorably known:

   a notorious gambler.

   Synonyms: ill-famed, disreputable, flagrant, arrant, egregious, infamous

2. publicly or generally known, as for a particular trait:

   a newspaper that is notorious for its sensationalism.

   Synonyms: famous, conspicuous, prominent, celebrated, renowned, notable

notorious

/ nəʊˈtɔːrɪəs; ˌnəʊtəˈraɪɪtɪ /

adjective

1. well-known for some bad or unfavourable quality, deed, etc; infamous
2. rare.
   generally known or widely acknowledged

Derived Forms

• notoriety, noun
• noˈtoriously, adverb

Other Words From

• no·to·ri·ous·ly adverb
• no·to·ri·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of notorious¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Medieval Latin nōtōrius “well known, public,” from Late Latin nōtōria “a notice, news, intelligence” and nōtōrium “indictment, (criminal) charge,” equivalent to nō(scere) “to get to know” + -tōrius adjective suffix; notify, -tory ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of notorious¹

C16: from Medieval Latin notōrius well-known, from nōtus known, from noscere to know

Example Sentences

It was the thrashings that Smyth was giving boys with a notorious table tennis bat, dubbed "TTB", that led a parent to the door of Coltart, who worked at a law practice in Zimbabwe's second city, Bulawayo.

From BBC

Like a nonfiction novel, Keefe’s book traces five decades of thorny history from the perspective of real-life characters, including the notorious Price sisters, Marian and Dolours, I.R.A. militants whose prison hunger strikes made front-page news in the 1970s, and Gerry Adams, the political leader who helped bring peace to Northern Ireland but has been accused of participating in atrocities committed during the height of the conflict.

From Los Angeles Times

A new recording has emerged of notorious cult leader Charles Manson appearing to admit to additional killings.

From BBC

Charles Manson may have killed people even before assembling his notorious “family.”

From Los Angeles Times

Directed by Billie Mintz, “Making Manson” is a new examination of the notorious criminal in his own words collected through 20 years’ worth of phone calls with a friend.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blatant
• flagrant
• high-profile
• infamous
• prominent
• well-known