# popularity

/ˌpɑpjəˈɫɛɹəti/ (US) · /pˌɒpjʊlˈæɹɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/popularity
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. being liked by many

noun · CEFR B1

the state of being liked or supported by a lot of people.

For teachers: the condition of being widely admired, accepted, or enjoyed by the general public or a specific group.

- The new video game gained popularity very quickly among teenagers.
- The sudden surge in the candidate's popularity can be attributed to her recent policy shift regarding urban infrastructure and public transport.

Usage: Usually uncountable; often used with the verbs 'gain', 'lose', or 'increase'.

### 2. public sentiment

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

the general feeling or opinion of the public.

For teachers: the state of public sentiment or general passion regarding a specific topic or person.

- In the old story, the king feared the popularity of the angry crowd.
- The historian noted that the popularity of the movement was driven more by desperation than by a coherent political ideology.

Usage: Found primarily in historical texts or formal literature to describe the mood of the masses.

## Examples

- The band's popularity grew quickly after their first concert.
- The sudden popularity of electric scooters has forced city planners to rethink how people use the sidewalk.
- While the politician enjoyed immense popularity during the economic boom, his approval ratings plummeted as soon as the market showed signs of instability.

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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.