notorious Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite known widely and usually unfavorably;
    ill-famed; infamous.
    • a notorious gangster
    • the tenderloin district was notorious for vice
    • the infamous Benedict Arnold

WordNet

No*to"ri*ous adjective
Etymology
L. notorius pointing out, making known, fr. noscere, notum, to known: cf. F. notoire. See Know.
Definitions
  1. Generally known and talked of by the public; universally believed to be true; manifest to the world; evident; -- usually in an unfavorable sense; as, a notorious thief; a notorious crime or vice.
    Your goodness, Since you provoke me, shall be most notorious. Shak.
    Syn. -- Distinguished; remarkable; conspicuous; celebrated; noted; famous; renowned. infamous is an extreme sense -- No*to"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- No*to"ri*ous*ness, n.

Webster 1913