Notable vs Notorious
notable
famous (good/neutral)
notorious
famous for bad reasons
How to tell them apart
notABLE = worth NOTing, ABLE and admirable (good/neutral). notoRIous = NOTed for a RIot of bad behavior, famous for the WRONG reasons.
Test yourself
Which word fits from context? Pick one, then reveal the answer. This is exactly how the GRE tests these pairs.
Question 1
The forger became throughout the art world, remembered chiefly for the elaborate frauds that ruined several trusting collectors.
Choose: notable or notorious
Show answer
Answer: notorious
"forger," "elaborate frauds," and "ruined... collectors" force notorious (famous for bad reasons); notable (neutral/positive) understates the disgrace.
Question 2
The physicist made a contribution to medicine, an achievement so celebrated that it earned her a coveted international award.
Choose: notable or notorious
Show answer
Answer: notable
"celebrated" achievement earning "a coveted award" forces notable (good fame); notorious (ill fame) contradicts the praise.
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