Infamous Meaning
/ˈɪn.fə.məs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjHaving a bad reputation; disreputable; notorious; unpleasant or evil; widely known, especially for something scornful.
adjCausing infamy; disgraceful.
Sentence Examples
Sharks are infamous for their bloodthirsty natures.
I glare resentfully at the crimson letter, is this the infamous red-paper draft notice?
A general who was infamous for his brutality
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ general committed terrible war crimes against civilians during the conflict.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The pirate became ____ for his many violent crimes and bold escapes from the royal navy.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English enfamouse, in-fames, infamous, from Medieval Latin īnfāmōsus, from Latin īnfāmis; by surface analysis, in- + famous. Displaced native Old English unhlīsful.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Soon we arrived at the Beijing Hotel—within shouting distance of the now infamous Tienanmen Square."
— 1995, Leonard Nimoy, I Am Spock, New York: Hyperion, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 188:
"These infamous little green men appeared during the decisive seizures or buildings and facilities, only to disappear when associated militias and local troops arrived to consolidate the gains. In this way they provided a measure of deniability—however superficial or implausible—for Moscow.⁴⁰"
— 2014, “Little Green Men”: A Primer on Modern Russian Unconventional Warfare, Ukraine 2013–2014, Fort Bragg, North Carolina: The United States Army Special Operations Command, page 43:
"Despite the line proving to be a useful strategic route for men and supplies to the British naval fleets stationed at Scapa Flow in both world wars, the Duke's legacy looked to have passed into history when it was listed for closure in the infamous Beeching report."
— 2021 October 20, Paul Stephen, “Leisure and pleasure on the Far North Line”, in RAIL, number 942, page 48:
"Yes, Virginia, now Santa's doin' time
In a Federal prison for his infamous crime"
— 1996, "Weird Al" Yankovic, “The Night Santa Went Crazy”, in Bad Hair Day:
"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger […]"
— 1791 December 15, James Madison et al, Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ general committed terrible war crimes against civilians during the conflict.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The pirate became ____ for his many violent crimes and bold escapes from the royal navy.