What does 'notorious' mean?

The term 'notorious' is used to describe someone or something that is well known, but typically in a negative context. When someone is described as notorious, it means they are widely recognized for bad behavior or undesirable traits. This aligns perfectly with the choice indicating that 'notorious' refers to being widely and unfavorably known.

In contrast, the other options imply positive recognition or obscurity, which does not align with the fundamental meaning of 'notorious'. For example, being well respected and admired or famous for positive traits suggests a favorable reputation, whereas a lack of notoriety or being obscure does not connect to the idea of being known at all, let alone in a negative light. Thus, the selection that captures the essence of 'notorious' is the one that highlights the negative aspect of being widely known.