notorious

Notorious is an adjective meaning widely known, typically for a negative reason. It is used to describe people, places, events, or things that have gained a discreditable or harmful reputation. The term carries a strong negative evaluative charge and is less neutral than synonyms like famous or well-known. It can appear in contexts ranging from crime and scandal to widely cited but undesirable traits.

Etymology and nuance: Notorious derives from Latin notorius, meaning well known, through older forms in English. Over time, its sense shifted from neutral recognition to a negative stigma. In modern usage, it often signals moral disapproval or embarrassment associated with the notoriety.

Usage notes: Notorious is commonly used in journalism, biographies, and historical discussions. It can describe individuals (a notorious criminal), organizations (a notorious fraud ring), places (a notorious traffic junction), or events (a notorious disaster). The word differently communicates severity than simply saying someone is famous. The noun form is notoriety, and the adverb is notoriously.

Related terms: Infamous is closely related and sometimes used interchangeably, though infamous often carries a stronger moral condemnation. While both imply negative fame, notorious can be more flexible in describing a wider range of discreditable reputations. Notoriety can also refer to the state or quality of being notorious, rather than the person or thing itself.