Cool MateLegendary vs Notable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Legendary
Top 3,000 (common)C1adjective
Notable
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Most common: Notable
| Legendary | Notable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈledʒəndri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈledʒənderi/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnəʊtəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnəʊtəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very famous and admired, often because of a great achievement. | Something important or worth remembering. |
| Example | a legendary figure | a **notable success/achievement/example** |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | legendary status, legendary figure, legendary status, legendary creature | be, especially, particularly, for |
| Antonyms | ordinary, common, unremarkable | insignificant, trivial, unremarkable |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'legend' - 'legendary' describes something, while 'legend' is a noun., Using 'legendary' for things that are not famous enough., Mispronouncing as 'legandary'. | Confusing 'notable' with 'noteworthy' - they are similar but have different nuances., Using 'notable' as a verb instead of an adjective., Misplacing the adjective in a sentence, leading to awkward phrasing. |
| Usage notes | Use 'legendary' to describe people, events, or stories known for their greatness. Often used in a positive context but can be informal in casual conversations. | Use 'notable' to emphasize importance or distinction, particularly in academic or formal contexts. It may not fit casual conversations where simpler words like 'important' may be more suitable. |
Frequently asked questions: Legendary vs Notable
What's the difference between Legendary and Notable?
Legendary: Very famous and admired, often because of a great achievement. Notable: Something important or worth remembering.
Which is more common: Legendary and Notable?
Notable is the most common in everyday English.
Are Legendary and Notable the same CEFR level?
Legendary: C1, Notable: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Legendary and Notable?
Legendary: adjective, Notable: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Legendary: a legendary figure Notable: a **notable success/achievement/example**
Can I use Legendary and Notable interchangeably?
Not always. Legendary and Notable are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.