# infamous

/ˈɪnfəməs/ (US) · /ˈɪnfəməs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/infamous
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. famous for something bad

adjective · CEFR B2

well-known for being bad, evil, or shocking.

For teachers: having an extremely bad reputation; widely known for some negative quality or deed.

- The city is infamous for its terrible traffic and narrow streets.
- The pirate became infamous throughout the Caribbean for his ruthless tactics and his ability to evade the royal navy for over a decade.

### 2. disgraceful

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

causing a loss of respect or a bad reputation.

For teachers: deserving of or causing infamy; shockingly bad or disgraceful in nature.

- The dictator's infamous treatment of his people was condemned by the world.
- The committee described the decision as an infamous betrayal of the public trust, leading to immediate calls for a full investigation.

### 3. legal loss of rights

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

in the past, describing a person who lost their legal rights because of a crime.

For teachers: referring to a person deprived of certain civil rights, such as serving on a jury, as a result of a conviction for a serious crime.

- In the 1800s, certain criminals were declared infamous and could no longer vote.
- Under the old statutes, an infamous person was barred from giving testimony in a court of law, as their character was deemed legally compromised.

Usage: Usually applied to the legal status of a person in historical contexts.

## Examples

- The city is infamous for its terrible traffic.
- The infamous pirate was known for his cruelty and his refusal to show mercy to captured crews.
- The prison became infamous for its harsh conditions and the frequent escapes attempted by its most desperate inmates during the mid-twentieth century.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.