adjective
Uncommon
infamous
IHN-fuh-muhs
Infamous (adjective) means Well known for something bad; having a very bad reputation. Example: “The prison became infamous for its brutal conditions.”
adjective
1
Well known for something bad; having a very bad reputation.
"He was an infamous traitor."
"She is infamous for perjury."
"The prison became infamous for its brutal conditions."
"He is infamous among fans for walking off stage mid-concert."
"The restaurant is infamous for its rude waiters and cold food."
"Soon we arrived at the Beijing Hotel—within shouting distance of the now infamous Tienanmen Square."
— Leonard Nimoy, I Am Spock (1995)
How to use infamous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFamous, but for something bad rather than something good.
Common mistake
Not just a stronger version of famous — infamous specifically means famous for wrongdoing or scandal, not just well known.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
infamous for
infamous incident
notoriously infamous
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more infamous
- Superlative
- most infamous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The prison became _____ for its brutal conditions.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin īnfāmōsus, from Latin īnfāmis — in- + fāma, "fame, reputation."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for infamous
See all rhymes for infamous →Frequently asked questions
What does “infamous” mean?
The word “infamous” means well known for something bad; having a very bad reputation. In plain terms, famous, but for something bad rather than something good.
How do you pronounce “infamous”?
“Infamous” is pronounced IHN-fuh-muhs (/ˈɪn.fə.məs/ in IPA).
How do you use “infamous” in a sentence?
Here is “infamous” used in a sentence: “The prison became infamous for its brutal conditions.”
What part of speech is “infamous”?
“Infamous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “infamous” come from?
The word “infamous” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin īnfāmōsus, from Latin īnfāmis — in- + fāma, "fame, reputation.".
Is “infamous” a common word?
“Infamous” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between infamous and famous?
Famous simply means widely known, while infamous means well known specifically for something bad, carrying a negative reputation. A person can be famous for their achievements but infamous for a scandal.
Can infamous be used as a compliment?
No, infamous inherently implies a bad reputation, so it is not a compliment even when used in a lighthearted or exaggerated way about minor misdeeds.
What is the difference between notorious and infamous?
Notorious and infamous are close synonyms, both describing someone or something well known for negative reasons, though notorious often emphasizes the widespread, public nature of the bad reputation.
