# notoriously

/noʊˈtɔɹiəsɫi/ (US) · /nəʊtˈɔːɹɪəsli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/notoriously
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

used to describe something that is famous for being bad or difficult. You use it when everyone knows about a negative quality.

For teachers: used to emphasise that a quality or fact, typically a negative one, is widely known or famous.

## Examples

- The weather in this city is notoriously unpredictable.
- The local government is notoriously slow at processing new building permits, often taking months to respond.
- While the author's prose is celebrated for its beauty, his personal life was notoriously chaotic, marked by frequent public arguments and financial instability.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before the adjective it modifies to highlight a well-known negative trait.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.