Notoriety

Notoriety

Noun · /ˌnəʊ.tərˈaɪ.ɪ.ti/

Definition

The state of being famous or well-known for some bad quality or deed; infamy; the fact of being widely known, especially for something unfavourable.

Origin

From Medieval Latin notorietas (the state of being well-known) and French notoriété, from notorius (well-known, notorious), from notus (known: past participle of noscere, to come to know), from Proto-Indo-European *gneh₃- (to know). The same root as know, notify, notion, notorious, notable, and noble. Notoriety therefore being the state of being known — but the word carrying, in virtually all modern use, the implication that what one is known for is unfavourable.