Origin: Latin suffix -ous
Notorious has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
Widely known, especially for something negative; infamous.
"The notorious thief was finally caught after a decade of stealing from local businesses."
In plain English: Notorious means being very famous for doing something bad or causing trouble.
"The local shop became notorious for selling expired milk at low prices."
Usage: Use notorious to describe someone or something widely recognized specifically because of bad behavior or reputation. It is stronger than simply being famous and always carries a negative connotation regarding the reason for that fame.
The word notorious comes from the Latin term for "known" or "familiar," which originally carried a neutral sense of being widely recognized. Over time, its meaning shifted in English to specifically denote someone who is famous for bad deeds rather than just general fame.