Infamous

Infamous is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is widely known for a negative quality, wrongdoing, or disreputable behavior. It implies moral condemnation and focuses on the stigma of public notoriety rather than positive recognition. The related noun infamy denotes the state or quality of being infamous.

Etymology traces infamous to Latin infamis “not famous, of ill repute,” from in- “not” + famos “famous,” with the sense of bringing someone into disrepute. It entered English through Old French infamie and was adopted in Middle English, gaining a durable sense centered on shameful notoriety.

Usage and nuance: Infamous is typically reserved for actions or persons associated with grave or lasting public disrepute, such as clear crimes or notorious scandals. Notorious is a closely related term that can be broader and less morally charged; it denotes being widely known for something, often negative, but does not always carry the stronger moral judgment implied by infamous.

Examples and notes: In journalism and history, phrases like “an infamous fraud,” “an infamous incident,” or “infamous for his brutality” appear to convey lasting shame. In critical or philosophical writing, infamy may be discussed as a form of moral disgrace or social memory. The term is less common in neutral everyday prose and more common in retrospective assessments that emphasize ethical judgment.