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Definition of infamous

infamous

/ˈɪn.fə.məs/
in · fa · mous
Adverb:infamously
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infamous Lexical Profile

infamous Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Well-known for some bad quality, shameful deed, or negative reputation.

Example

"The mountain pass is infamous for its sudden snowstorms and treacherous curves."

2

Wicked, abominable, or deserving of universal condemnation.

Example

"Historians documented the infamous betrayal that led to the fall of the ancient republic."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for infamous
Antonyms
View all antonyms for infamous

Word Nuance & Usage

Unlike 'famous', which carries a neutral or positive connotation of widespread recognition, 'infamous' specifically means well-known for something bad or shameful; additionally, the stress shifts to the first syllable ('IN-fuh-muhs').

• Nearby Words

infallibility
infallible
infallibly
infamous
infamously
infamy
infancy

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late Middle Ages from Latin 'infamis' ('of ill repute'), formed from the privative prefix 'in-' ('not') and 'fama' ('fame, good reputation').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Infamous. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/infamous
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