Words / C1

INF-uh-mee/ˈɪnfəmi/

Infamy is the state of being well known for something bad (usually uncountable): live in infamy, the infamy of a leak. Famous (already in the dictionary) is the good twin; notoriety is the close cousin. A brand story is not a corrections log.

Meaning

The state of being well known for something bad (usually uncountable).

Examples

• “Infamy of the wrong-year footnote is a corrections log, not a brand story.”
• “Notoriety is the close twin. Shame is hotter. A story is branding. A footnote is a file. Open the corrections log; keep the story off the prospectus.”

Good to know

Fame for the wrong reason. Close: notoriety. A brand story ≠ a corrections log.

Near in meaning

notoriety, disrepute, ignominy

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