popularity

Noun

popularity (usually uncountable, plural popularities)

1. (usually) The quality or state of being popular; especially, the state of being widely liked or in favor with the people at large.
   • This destination has increased in popularity after great reviews in the guide books.
   • Politicians are rarely known for their popularity.
2. (archaic, usually) The quality or state of being adapted or pleasing to common, poor, or vulgar people
   • So this Gallant, labouring to avoid Popularity, falls into a habit of Affectation, Ten thousand times hatefuller than the former.1600, Ben Jonson, Every Man Out of His Humour
   1. (archaic, broadly, usually) cheapness; inferiority; vulgarity.
3. (archaic, usually) Something which obtains, or is intended to obtain, the favor of the vulgar; claptrap.
   • Popularities, and circumstances which […] sway the ordinary judgment.1597, Francis Bacon, The Colours or Good and Evil
4. (obsolete, usually) The act of courting the favour of the people.
   • Cato (the younger) charged Muraena, and indicted him in open court for popularity and ambition.1603, Plutarch, translated by Philemon Holland, Moralia
5. (archaic, usually) Public sentiment; general passion.
   • A little time be allowed for the madness of popularity to cease.1834–1874, George Bancroft, History of the United States, from the Discovery of the American Continent, volume (please specify |volume=I to X), Boston, Mass.: Little, Brown and Company [et al.], →OCLC