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ill fame

C2/Low
UK/ˌɪl ˈfeɪm/US/ˌɪl ˈfeɪm/

Literary, Formal, Archaic

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Definition

Meaning

The state of being widely known for bad reasons; a bad reputation.

A general reputation for being disreputable, often associated with immoral or criminal activity. Historically linked to places or institutions known for vice.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

A noun phrase, functioning as an uncountable noun. Often used in a formal or historical context. Has a strong negative connotation of public disgrace.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. 'Ill fame' is equally archaic in both variants.

Connotations

Carries a somewhat old-fashioned, literary, or legalistic tone in both varieties.

Frequency

Extremely rare in contemporary spoken English in both BrE and AmE. It is largely confined to historical or literary texts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
of ill famehouse of ill fame
medium
place of ill famegained ill fame
weak
suffered ill famenotorious ill fame

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[to be] a place of ill fame[to have] a reputation for ill fame[to live in] ill fame

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

ill reputebad name

Neutral

notorietydisreputeinfamy

Weak

bad reputationpoor standing

Vocabulary

Antonyms

good namegood reputehonouresteemrenown

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “house of ill fame (archaic term for a brothel)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Virtually unused.

Academic

Used in historical or sociological texts discussing reputation, stigma, or vice districts.

Everyday

Extremely rare; would sound deliberately old-fashioned or poetic.

Technical

May appear in historical legal documents or studies of historical linguistics.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The inn was said to ill-fame the entire neighbourhood. (archaic/rare)

American English

  • The saloon ill-famed the frontier town. (archaic/rare)

adverb

British English

  • No standard adverbial form.

American English

  • No standard adverbial form.

adjective

British English

  • The ill-famed alley was avoided by locals. (as part of compound adjective 'ill-famed')

American English

  • He frequented an ill-famed establishment. (as part of compound adjective 'ill-famed')

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • This word is too difficult for A2 level.
B1
  • This word is too difficult for B1 level.
B2
  • The old part of the city was once a place of ill fame.
C1
  • The establishment's ill fame meant that respectable citizens would never be seen entering it.
  • His association with the scandal brought him a degree of ill fame he could never shake off.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'fame' as 'reputation'. 'Ill' means 'sick/bad'. So, a 'sick reputation' = a bad reputation.

Conceptual Metaphor

REPUTATION IS HEALTH (a bad reputation is a sickness).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Не путать с 'ill-famed' (позорный) как прилагательное. 'Ill fame' — это существительное, обозначающее само состояние. Прямой перевод 'дурная слава' является точным.

Common Mistakes

  • Using it in casual conversation. Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'He is ill fame'). Confusing with 'infamy', which is more common.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In the 19th century, that street was known as a .
Multiple Choice

In which context would the phrase 'ill fame' be LEAST appropriate?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is considered archaic or literary. More common synonyms are 'notoriety' or 'a bad reputation'.

It is an old-fashioned, euphemistic term for a brothel.

Not directly. The word itself is a noun phrase. However, the related compound adjective 'ill-famed' (hyphenated) exists but is also archaic.

They are close synonyms. 'Infamy' is the more common and modern word. 'Ill fame' has a more dated, formal, or specifically historical flavour.