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infamous Definition

in·fa·mous (infə məs)

adjective

  1. having a very bad reputation; notorious; in disgrace or dishonor
  2. causing or deserving a bad reputation; scandalous; outrageous
  3. Law
    1. punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary: said of certain crimes, usually felonies
    2. guilty of such a crime

Etymology: ME < OFr infameux < ML infamosus < L infamis: see in- & famous

infamous Related Forms
in·fa·mously adverb
infamous Synonyms

infamous

modif.

  1. Bad

    odious, nefarious, base, vile; see wicked 1, 2.

  2. Scandalous

    notorious, ill-famed, shocking, disgraceful; see offensive 2, shameful 2.

infamous Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • pirate: They will also meet the infamous lady pirate, Grace O'Malley, one of Ireland's most feared pirates.
  • tabloid: Anorak pokes fun every weekday at Britain's infamous tabloids, .. .
  • poll: ROCKTASTIC MONTHLY - METAL HAMMER are conducting their infamous readers poll.
  • murderer: The Grassmarket was also the haunt of the infamous murderers Burke and Hare.
  • spy: That number was set to increase sharply with the arrival some of the country's most infamous spies and traitors.

Modifying Another Word

  • now: I refer of course to the now infamous whale tail.
  • once: Commentary by the experience even if wrestled my clubs the once infamous.
  • so: He subsequently recovered his reason, but his conduct was so infamous that he was cashiered.
  • already: The first two features to be tackled were the already infamous Hill 60 ( i.e.
  • also: The film is also infamous for being messed about by the studios.
  • somewhat: His social adventures became somewhat infamous and scandal followed scandal.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Neil pretended to duck inside, saying we must be becoming infamous!
  • say: Daniel Weir used to be a famous - not to say infamous - rock star.
  • make: Friday, 2nd November, 2001 Manchester Roadhouse Support from Valerie The Lollies return to the Manchester venue made infamous by The Great Flood.
  • grow: The joke has been around for ages and has grown infamous in the comedy world as it was told extravagantly among insiders.
infamous Quotes

Stage-plays†are sinfull, heathenish, lewd, ungodly Spectacles and most pernicious Corruptions, condemned in all ages as intolerable Mischiefes to Churches, to Republickes, to the manners, mindes and soules of men. And that the Profession of Play-poets, of Stage-players; together with the penning, acting and frequenting of Stage-plays are unlawfull, infamous and misbeseeming Christians.

—Prynne,William