Words / C1

INF-uh-m-uh-s/ˈɪnfəməs/

Infamous means well known for something bad: an infamous error, infamous for delay. Famous is everyday and can be positive; notorious (already in the dictionary) is a close cousin. Infamy is the rare noun. The stress is on the first syllable. Do not call a quiet local failure infamous.

Meaning

Well known for something bad.

Examples

• “The infamous footnote had the wrong year in every reprint.”
• “The infamous footnote printed 2019 in every reprint of a 2021 study.”
• “Famous can be admiration; infamous is fame for the wrong reason. Notorious is the close cousin.”

Good to know

Famous for something bad. Close: notorious. Everyday positive: famous. Noun: infamy. Stress: IN-fə-məs. Not a private mishap.

Near in meaning

notorious

New