popularity

UK /ˌpɒpjəˈlærəti/ US /ˌpɑpjəˈlærəti/ Syllables: pop-u-lar-i-ty

Pronunciation

Noun B2 Upper-intermediate Neutral

The state of being liked or supported by many people.

Popularity is the state of being liked, enjoyed or supported by many people. A song, a sport, a politician, a teacher or a new idea can have popularity. The word is usually uncountable, so you say the popularity of something, not a popularity. Words close in meaning include fame, favor, appeal, vogue and acclaim. The opposite is unpopularity, and a related idea is obscurity, which means being little known. Popularity can rise, grow, fall or fade, and it is often measured by a poll, a sales figure or the number of fans. Popularity names the quality, while popular is the adjective that describes the person or thing.

"The show's popularity grew steadily over three seasons."

Meanings

The state of being liked, enjoyed or supported by many people.
Favor with the general public or with a particular group.

Example sentences

"The popularity of the game has grown every year."

Level B2, Meaning 1
"Her popularity at school came from being kind to everyone."

Level B1, Meaning 1
"The mayor's popularity fell after the price rise."

Level B2, Meaning 1
"Online learning has gained popularity among adults."

Level B2, Meaning 2
"The band enjoyed a sudden popularity in Europe."

Level C1, Meaning 1

Synonyms and antonyms

Antonyms

unpopularity

Look-alikes and common mistakes

fame : Fame means being widely known, even by people who do not like you. Popularity means being liked.
publicity : Publicity is attention from the media. It can help popularity, but it is not the same thing.
populism : Populism is a political approach that claims to speak for ordinary people. It is not about being liked.
population : Population is the number of people living in a place. It looks like popularity but means something else.

Word family and forms

Forms: popularities

popular popularly unpopular unpopularity overpopularity

Word partners

Words and phrases that often go with "popularity".

growing popularity
rise in popularity
gain popularity
lose popularity
popularity contest
widespread popularity
decline in popularity
popularity of

Origin

Popularity is made from popular plus the ending ity. It comes from the Latin word popularitas, which meant an effort to please the people. English records the word from the mid 1500s.

Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.

How to remember it

Popularity is the noun for popular. Say the word popular, add ity, and you have the state of being popular.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "The _____ of the game has grown every year."

Answer: popularity

In your own words, what does "popularity" mean?