Notorious vs. Naughty — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 29, 2024
Notorious refers to being famous for a bad quality or deed, while naughty implies minor misbehavior or mischief, especially in children.
Difference Between Notorious and Naughty
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Notorious is often used to describe individuals, groups, or deeds that are well-known for negative reasons, such as criminal activity or unethical behavior. Whereas, naughty typically refers to playful, harmless mischief or disobedience, primarily associated with children or behavior considered mildly improper.
While notorious carries a heavy, often serious connotation, highlighting a person's or act's infamy in a broader, societal context, naughty suggests a lighter, less serious form of misbehavior that doesn't carry long-term negative implications.
Individuals or actions become notorious due to widespread recognition of their negative aspects, which can overshadow any positive contributions. On the other hand, being naughty is usually seen as a temporary, often age-related phase, especially in young children, indicating a learning process rather than a defining characteristic.
The term notorious is used in a variety of contexts, from crime to politics, indicating a strong, negative public perception. In contrast, naughty is predominantly used in personal or familial contexts, reflecting minor indiscretions rather than public condemnation.
Notoriousness implies a lasting, often historical, impact on society or a field, with the negative connotations enduring over time. Meanwhile, naughtiness is typically fleeting, with individuals often outgrowing such behavior, and it is rarely remembered or recorded in a lasting way.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Strongly negative, infamous
Mildly negative, mischievous
Context
Broad societal impact
Personal or familial behavior
Duration
Long-lasting, historical impact
Temporary, often outgrown
Associated With
Criminal activity, unethical behavior
Minor misbehavior, mischief
Societal Perception
Widespread public condemnation
Generally viewed as harmless or endearing
Compare with Definitions
Notorious
Infamously known.
The company became notorious for its poor treatment of workers.
Naughty
Behaving mischievously.
The naughty child hid his vegetables under the table.
Notorious
Having a bad reputation.
The neighborhood was notorious for its high crime rates.
Naughty
Associated with children's behavior.
The teacher had a list of naughty students.
Notorious
Famous for a negative reason.
The notorious gangster was well-known in the city for his crimes.
Naughty
Mildly improper.
He told a naughty joke at the dinner table.
Notorious
Widely and unfavorably known.
The law was notorious for being difficult to enforce.
Naughty
Indicating mild disobedience.
She gave him a naughty smile before sneaking out.
Notorious
Synonymous with infamy.
Her notorious spending habits caught the public's eye.
Naughty
Playfully misbehaving.
The dog was being naughty by stealing socks.
Notorious
Famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed
Los Angeles is notorious for its smog
He was a notorious drinker and womanizer
Naughty
(especially of a child) badly behaved; disobedient
You've been a really naughty boy
Notorious
Known widely and usually unfavorably
A notorious pirate.
A region notorious for floods.
Naughty
Wicked.
Notorious
Senses with an unfavourable connotation.
Naughty
Behaving disobediently or mischievously
A naughty child.
Notorious
Of a person or entity: generally or widely known for something negative; infamous.
Naughty
Indecent; improper
A naughty wink.
Notorious
Of an act, situation, etc.: blameworthy in an obvious and offensive way; blatant, flagrant.
Naughty
One that is naughty.
Notorious
Senses with a favourable or neutral connotation.
Naughty
Mischievous; tending to misbehave or act badly (especially of a child).
Some naughty boys at school hid the teacher's lesson notes.
Notorious
Generally or widely known; of common knowledge; famous or well-known.
Naughty
Evil, wicked, morally reprehensible.
Notorious
(obsolete)
Naughty
(obsolete) Bad, worthless, substandard.
Notorious
(obsolete) notoriously
Naughty
Having little or nothing.
[Men] that needy be and naughty, help them with thy goods.
Notorious
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.
Naughty
Worthless; bad; good for nothing.
The other basket had very naughty figs.
Notorious
Having an exceedingly bad reputation;
A notorious gangster
The tenderloin district was notorious for vice
Naughty
Hence, corrupt; wicked.
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
Naughty
Mischievous; perverse; froward; guilty of disobedient or improper conduct; as, a naughty child.
Naughty
Badly behaved;
He was saucy and mischievous in school
A naughty boy
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to be notorious?
Being notorious means being famous for something bad or negative.
Does notoriety always imply criminal behavior?
Not necessarily, though it often relates to negative actions, not all notorious figures are criminals.
Can an action, not a person, be notorious?
Yes, actions or deeds can also be notorious if they are widely known and condemned.
Can someone be notorious for a good deed?
Traditionally, notoriety is associated with negative actions, so being notorious for good deeds is uncommon.
Is naughtiness a sign of bad behavior in children?
Naughtiness in children is often seen as a normal part of growing up and learning boundaries.
How does society view notorious individuals?
Society generally views notorious individuals negatively due to their actions or behavior.
What are common reasons for notoriety?
Common reasons include criminal activity, unethical behavior, or significant public scandals.
Is naughtiness always negative?
Naughtiness is typically seen in a lighter, sometimes endearing context, especially with children.
Can a place be notorious?
Yes, places can be notorious if they're known for negative reasons, such as crime or disaster.
How do media portray notorious figures?
Media often portray notorious figures with a focus on their negative actions or impacts on society.
Do notorious people always face legal consequences?
Not always; notoriety can stem from actions that are unethical yet not illegal.
Can naughtiness be positive?
In some contexts, naughtiness can be viewed positively, reflecting a spirited or lively personality.
Is there a way to overcome notoriety?
Overcoming notoriety can be challenging and may require significant positive contributions or changes in behavior.
Can naughty behavior be encouraged?
While mild naughtiness is sometimes seen as endearing, it's generally important to teach children appropriate boundaries.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
