Word
infamy
Phoneticsin·famy
US/ˈɪnfəmi/
UK/ˈɪnfəmi/
Definition
n. a very bad reputation that people know and talk about. It is the opposite of fame, but it is much more negative.
n. a state of being widely known for something bad or criminal. Often used to describe a reputation that is infamous for its negative impact on a person or place.
Examples
“The criminal's name became a symbol of infamy.”
“The city's reputation for corruption led to its infamy across the country.”
“The scandal that led to the politician's resignation ensured his infamy in the annals of modern history, overshadowing any previous achievements he had made.”
Examples
simple
“The criminal's name became a symbol of infamy.”
contextual
“The city's reputation for corruption led to its infamy across the country.”
complex
“The scandal that led to the politician's resignation ensured his infamy in the annals of modern history, overshadowing any previous achievements he had made.”
Real-World Examples
“Despite the fame - and infamy - that followed, she still found herself struggling to be taken seriously by editors.” “Unlike Kelly, Read lived to enjoy his infamy, becoming a bestselling author and the subject of a hit film.” Etymology
From late Middle English infamie, from Old French infamie, from Latin īnfāmia (“infamy”), from īnfāmis (“infamous”), from in- (“not”) + fāma (“fame, renown”). Displaced native Old English unhlīsa (literally “bad fame”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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