Notorious: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：well-known for bad acts (notorious)

notorious 🔊

/nəˈtɔːriəs/

adj.

Well-known for doing something bad.

Illustration of a notorious pirate symbolizing a widely known bad reputation

well-known for bad acts 🔊

➕

/ˌwɛl ˈnoʊn fɔːr bæd ækts/

adj.

Describes someone or something that is widely recognized for negative reasons, such as crimes, scandals, or undesirable behavior.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'notorius' meaning 'well-known', derived from 'notus' (known).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'notorious' as 'noted for being notorious' – it rhymes with 'noted' and implies fame for bad reasons.

📖 Example

That intersection in the city is notorious for dangerous driving and frequent accidents. 🔊 That intersection has a reputation for being dangerous and prone to accidents.

🔗 Collocations

notorious criminal – a well-known criminal

notorious for – famous for something bad

become notorious – gain a bad reputation

🔄 Synonyms

infamous (adj.) – Well-known for bad deeds or character.

disreputable (adj.) – Having a bad reputation.

scandalous (adj.) – Causing public outrage or disapproval.

🚫 Antonyms

reputable (adj.) – Having a good reputation.

respectable (adj.) – Worthy of respect.

unknown (adj.) – Not known or recognized.

🌱 Derivatives

notoriety (n.) – The state of being famous for something bad.

notoriously (adv.) – In a way that is well-known for being bad.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'notorius', entering English in the 16th century with a neutral sense of 'well-known', it gradually specialized to denote negative fame. Commonly used in modern media to describe individuals or events infamous for crimes, scandals, or undesirable traits.