5 syllables: No, to, ri, e, ty. Stress on ri.
noh-tur-EYE-uh-tee
/ˌnoʊtɚˈaɪəti/
Notoriety is pronounced noh-tur-EYE-uh-tee (/ˌnoʊtɚˈaɪəti/). It has five syllables (No-to-ri-e-ty), with the stress on "ri". Notoriety is the state of being famous for something typically negative or scandalous. It emphasizes public attention and reputation, often driven by sensationalism rather than positive achievement. As a noun, it denotes renown that is widely known, though not always for admirable reasons.
nounNotoriety is the state of being famous for something typically negative or scandalous. It emphasizes public attention and reputation, often driven by sensationalism rather than positive achievement. As a noun, it denotes renown that is widely known, though not always for admirable reasons.
"Her notoriety grew after the controversial interview went viral."
"The actor sought privacy to escape the glare of notoriety."
"Despite his talent, his notoriety came from a televised scandal."
Pronounce as /noʊˌtɔːˈraɪ.ə.ti/ in US English or /nəʊtəˈraɪ.ə.ti/ in UK English, with the primary stress on the third syllable: not-o-RI-e-ty in many phonetic renderings. The sequence stresses the -ri- as the main peak, followed by -e-ty. Start with 'noh' then a mid-rough 'to' combining to 'rah' and end with a quick 'ity' stretch. Listen for the slight pause after the second syllable in careful speech. Audio references: Forvo, Cambridge, or Pronounce app entries demonstrate the four-syllable cadence; you should emphasize not-or-i-e-ty in natural speech.
Common mistakes include under-accenting the stress on the -ri- syllable, saying it as no-to-RAI-e-ty with flat pitch, and misplacing the final -ty, sounding like -ti instead of -ty. To correct, practice the three-stress pattern: no-to-RI-e-ty, ensuring the 'ri' carries the strongest loudness and the 'ti' lands softly as a schwa-like or short i sound. Use minimal pairs to lock in the rhythm: notori-ety vs notor-i-ety. Use slow tempo first, then speed up while maintaining correct articulation.
In US English, the initial vowel is a diphthong /noʊ/ and the stress falls on the third syllable: /noʊˌtɔːˈraɪ.ə.ti/. UK English tends toward /nəʊtəˈraɪ.ə.ti/ with a less rhotic /r/ in non-rhotic accents and a slightly different vowel quality in /ɔː/. Australian tends to a flatter initial vowel and a clear /tɔː/ or /tə/ depending on speaker; the -ri- vowel often remains a strong nucleus. Overall, rhoticity and vowel length shift subtly, but the three-syllable peak remains on -ri- across regions.
The difficulty centers on the multi-syllabic rhythm and the /ˌtɔːˈ/ or /ˌtɔˈ/ cluster around the -to- and -ri- segments, plus the final unstressed -e-ty which can blur into a quick /i/ or /ɪ/ sound in faster speech. The stem -riot- heard in 'notoriously' contrasts with 'notoriety,' so learners often mix with 'notoriety' vs 'notoriously' stresses. Pay attention to the strong secondary stress on -ri- while ensuring a clean stop before the final -ety.
Notoriety includes a rare mid-word 'ri' that forms a strong nucleus before the ending. The pronunciation features a secondary stress? not exactly; rather, the main stress sits on the -ri- syllable in many common pronunciations, with the preceding -to- part lighter. This creates a distinctive rhythm: no-to-RI-e-ty. Listen for tension between 'to' and 'ri' as you practice; ensure your tongue lifts toward a palatal release for the /ri/ portion.
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Notoriety comes from the Middle French notorieté and the Latin notorietas, built from nota (mark, note) and the suffix -tus indicating a state or condition. The root translates roughly to a marked reputation. In English, notoriety first appeared in the 16th century to describe public fame—often negative or infamous fame. Over time, the term broadened from mere notoriety (being known) to emphasize notoriety derived from scandal, wrongdoing, or sensational publicity. The evolution tracks a cultural emphasis on public scrutiny and media-driven fame; as media amplified scandals, notoriety increasingly implied a notoriety that is more about ill-reputed fame than commendable achievement. First known uses can be traced in early modern English texts where authors described individuals known for infamous acts or widely reported deeds, not necessarily admirable.
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Words that rhyme with "Notoriety"
-ity sounds
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