What does notableness mean?
Notableness is a formal noun meaning the quality of being notable, or worthy of special attention and recognition. It can refer to a person's distinction, an achievement's significance, or the unusual prominence of a place, event, or idea. In use, it often appears with phrases such as "a degree of notableness" and "rise to notableness," emphasizing gradual changes in reputation or prominence. The word is more abstract and evaluative than terms such as visibility or popularity: something may be widely seen without being genuinely notable, while something of modest visibility may possess considerable notableness because of its importance or influence. Although usually associated with carefully judged distinction, the noun can also have a slightly critical tone when used of people who seem to seek recognition. Overall, it is useful in formal and analytical writing for discussing the condition of being distinguished.
nounThe quality or condition of being notable; the degree to which someone or something stands out or is worthy of attention.
- The quality or condition of being notable, especially of being distinguished, important, or worthy of attention.
"The event's notableness was recognized by several national newspapers."
"Her notableness in the field eventually attracted international attention."
"The building's notableness lies in its unusual architectural design."
Notableness is normally treated as a mass noun and is not commonly used in the plural.
"The award brought international notableness to the young composer."
From the ancient idea of marking something as distinct, notableness came to mean the distinction that makes someone or something memorable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does notableness come from?
Notableness is formed from notable by adding the noun-forming suffix -ness. Notable comes through French from Latin notabilis, a word related to notare, meaning "to mark," and ultimately to notus, meaning "known." The development therefore moved from marking or making known to deserving attention, and then to the abstract quality expressed by notableness. Closely related forms include notable, notably, and notability.
How notableness is actually used
Notableness is formal and relatively uncommon in everyday speech. It usually describes a person's distinction or a thing's significance rather than simple physical visibility.
Easily confused with notableness
Notableness generally emphasizes the quality of being notable, while notability is a closely related noun often used in more specialized formal contexts.