adjective
- widely and unfavorably known: a notorious gambler.
- publicly or generally known, as for a particular trait: a newspaper that is notorious for its sensationalism.
adjective
- well-known for some bad or unfavourable quality, deed, etc; infamous
- rare generally known or widely acknowledged
adj.1540s, “publicly known,” from Medieval Latin notorius “well-known, commonly known,” from Latin notus “known,” past participle of noscere “come to know” (see know). Negative connotation arose 17c. from frequent association with derogatory nouns. Related: Notoriously.