noun
infamy
IHN-fuh-mee
Infamy (noun) means the state of being infamous; a very bad, widely known reputation. Example: “The scandal sealed his infamy for the rest of his career.”
noun
1
The state of being infamous; a very bad, widely known reputation.
"Yesterday, December seventh, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."
— President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 0:00 from the start (1941)
"The scandal sealed his infamy for the rest of his career."
"The date lives in infamy as the day the war began."
How to use infamy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shameful kind of fame — being remembered for something terrible.
Common pairings
live in infamy
a day of infamy
seal his infamy
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Word forms
- Plural
- infamies
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The scandal sealed his _____ for the rest of his career.
Etymology
From Old French infamie, from Latin īnfāmia — in- ("not") + fāma ("fame, renown").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for infamy
See all rhymes for infamy →Frequently asked questions
What does “infamy” mean?
The word “infamy” means the state of being infamous; a very bad, widely known reputation. In plain terms, a shameful kind of fame — being remembered for something terrible.
How do you pronounce “infamy”?
“Infamy” is pronounced IHN-fuh-mee (/ˈɪnfəmi/ in IPA).
How do you use “infamy” in a sentence?
Here is “infamy” used in a sentence: “The scandal sealed his infamy for the rest of his career.”
What part of speech is “infamy”?
“Infamy” is a noun.
Where does the word “infamy” come from?
The word “infamy” comes from Latin. From Old French infamie, from Latin īnfāmia — in- ("not") + fāma ("fame, renown").
