infamy
C1-C2formal, literary, historical, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
The state of being well known for a bad quality or deed; extreme public disgrace or wickedness.
A condition of extreme dishonor, often resulting from a notoriously evil or shocking act that permanently stains a person's, group's, or nation's reputation. It can also refer to the act itself that causes such disgrace.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries a strong moral judgment and implies a lasting, historical stain on reputation. It is more severe than 'disgrace' or 'dishonor' and suggests an act so terrible it becomes a defining part of public memory.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Slight preference in British English for 'notoriety' in some contexts where 'infamy' might be used in American English, particularly in less severe historical or journalistic contexts.
Connotations
Similar strong negative connotations in both varieties. In American English, strongly associated with the phrase "a date which will live in infamy" (FDR's Pearl Harbor speech), giving it a specific historical-patriotic resonance.
Frequency
Relatively low frequency in both, but slightly higher in American English due to the cemented historical phrase mentioned above.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] infamy (e.g., achieve, earn, gain)infamy [preposition] (e.g., infamy for, infamy as)infamy [clause] (e.g., the infamy of being known as...)a date/name/deed of infamyplunge/sink into infamyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A date which will live in infamy”
- “To achieve/earn a place in infamy”
- “To be cloaked in infamy”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Extremely rare. Could be used metaphorically in crisis PR contexts, e.g., 'The scandal brought the company a level of infamy from which it may never recover.'
Academic
Common in historical, political, and literary studies to describe the lasting negative legacy of individuals, regimes, or events.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used for emphasis when discussing serious crimes, scandals, or historical atrocities.
Technical
Not a technical term in most fields. Used in historiography and certain branches of political science/ethics.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Not a standard verb. Use 'defame', 'vilify', or 'disgrace'.)
American English
- (Not a standard verb. Use 'defame', 'vilify', or 'disgrace'.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb from 'infamy'. Use 'infamously' from 'infamous'.)
- The bridge was infamously poorly designed.
American English
- (No standard adverb from 'infamy'. Use 'infamously' from 'infamous'.)
- He was infamously difficult to work with.
adjective
British English
- The dictator's infamous regime collapsed.
- He was linked to the infamous crime syndicate.
American English
- The town is known for the infamous shootout.
- She uncovered the infamous conspiracy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Too complex for A2. Use simpler terms: bad name, shame.)
- The criminal gained infamy for his terrible crimes.
- His actions brought infamy to his family name.
- The politician never escaped the infamy of the corruption scandal.
- The battle is remembered not for glory, but for infamy.
- The regime's infamy was sealed by its brutal treatment of political prisoners.
- She argued that the general's tactical brilliance was forever tarnished by the infamy of his war crimes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'IN Famous' – being famous IN a very bad way.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFAMY IS A DARK STAIN (on one's name/reputation). INFAMY IS A HEAVY CLOAK (one wears).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not directly equivalent to 'бесчестье' or 'позор', which are more immediate. 'Infamy' implies a lasting, historical scale of disgrace.
- Caution with 'незабвенность' – this is a false friend; it means 'unforgettableness', which can be positive. 'Infamy' is negative unforgettable-ness.
- The Russian word 'инфамия' is an archaic, direct borrowing and is not used in modern speech.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for simple 'bad reputation' (too weak).
- Confusing it with 'infirmity' (weakness, illness).
- Misspelling as 'infimany' or 'infimacy'.
- Using it in a positive or neutral context (e.g., 'He reached infamy for his charity work' – incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best captures the core meaning of 'infamy'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Infamy' is stronger and more morally charged, implying profound wickedness and lasting historical disgrace. 'Notoriety' means being widely known, often for something unfavorable, but it can sometimes have a more neutral or even admiring edge (e.g., 'notorious for his generosity').
No, it is exclusively negative. Using it positively is a mistake. For positive lasting fame, use 'fame', 'renown', 'glory', or 'legendary status'.
No, there is no standard verb 'to infamy'. To express the action, use verbs like 'to disgrace', 'to defame', 'to vilify', or 'to bring infamy upon'.
It's a common stress shift in English derivation. The noun 'IN-fuh-mee' has primary stress on the first syllable. The adjective 'IN-fuh-mus' also has stress on the first syllable, but the vowel in the second syllable is often reduced to a schwa (/ə/), making them sound very similar. The spelling 'infamous' reflects its origin from Latin 'infamis'.
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