What does notable mean?
Notable means important, distinguished, or worthy of attention. It is used for people, achievements, events, features, and distinctions that matter because of their significance, qualities, or consequences, rather than merely because they are visible or noticeable. Saying that a result is notable, for example, indicates that it is important or remarkable; saying that a building is notable for its design directs attention to the particular feature that makes it distinguished. The adjective is common in formal writing but also suitable for everyday conversation. As a noun, a notable is an important or distinguished person, and the plural notables often refers collectively to prominent figures. The related adverb notably is used to highlight something especially significant, while notability names the quality of being notable. In general, notable conveys importance and lasting interest rather than simple visibility.
Important, distinguished, or worthy of attention.
"The professor made a notable discovery during her research."
Often used in formal and semi-formal contexts; it can describe people, achievements, events, characteristics, and differences.
A person who is important, distinguished, or worthy of attention.
"The conference attracted several notables from the world of science."
This noun use is more literary and formal than the adjective, and is especially common in the plural form notables.
The plural is common when referring collectively to important or distinguished people, especially in literary or historical contexts.
"The book profiles the political notables of the period."
Notable and notorious share a Roman ancestor: both grew from Latin words connected with being known, but English uses them to tell opposite kinds of fame.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of notable
The word entered English through Old French notable, from Latin notabilis, meaning “worthy of notice” and derived from notare, “to mark.” Latin notare itself comes from notus, meaning “known,” the source of several related words in English, including notice, notify, notation, and notion. The modern sense of “important or distinguished” developed from the earlier idea of something worthy of being noticed.
Related word forms
How notable is actually used
As an adjective, notable is formal but widely used and can describe a person, achievement, feature, event, or difference. It generally suggests importance or significance, not simply that something is easy to notice. As a noun, it is somewhat literary and often appears in the plural form notables for prominent people.
Easily confused with notable
Notorious means famous or widely known, usually for something negative, whereas notable more often means important or worthy of attention without implying a bad reputation.
Noticeable means easy to perceive, while notable emphasizes importance or significance rather than mere visibility.