infamous

in·fa·mous

Use infamous in a sentence

adjective

The definition of infamous describes a person who has done terrible things and is known for a bad reputation.

An example of an infamous person is Jesse James.

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"infamous." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Infamous>.

APA Style

infamous. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Infamous

infamous

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

Origin of infamous

Middle English from Old French infameux from Medieval Latin infamosus from Classical Latin infamis: see in- and famous

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Link to this page

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MLA Style

"infamous." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Infamous>.

APA Style

infamous. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Infamous

infamous

adjective

Having an exceedingly bad reputation; notorious: an infamous outlaw.
Causing or deserving severe public condemnation; heinous: “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury” ( US Constitution, Amendment 5 )
Law Convicted of a crime, such as treason or felony, that carries a severe punishment. No longer in technical use.

Origin of infamous

Middle English infamis from Latin īnfāmis in- not ; see in- ¹. fāma renown, fame ; see bhā-² in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

in′fa·mous·ly
adverb

in′fa·mous·ness
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"infamous." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Infamous>.

APA Style

infamous. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Infamous

Adjective

(comparative more infamous, superlative most infamous)

having a bad reputation, disreputable; of bad report; notoriously vile; detestable; widely known, especially for something bad
He was an infamous traitor.
He was an infamous perjurer.
causing infamy; disgraceful
This infamous deed tarnishes all involved.
(archaic) in England / Great Britain, a judicial punishment which deprived the infamous person of certain rights; this included a prohibition against holding public office, exercising the franchise, receiving a public pension, serving on a jury, or giving testimony in a court of law.

Origin

From Anglo-Norman infamous, from Medieval Latin infamosus

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