What does flagitiously mean?
“Flagitiously” is a formal, strongly disapproving adverb meaning in a manner that is openly scandalous, disgraceful, or shocking. It is especially used when wrongdoing or improper conduct is deliberately or brazenly displayed in public. The word is more emphatic and more literary than “notoriously,” and it normally carries a negative judgment, although context determines the degree of severity. A person might describe a company that publishes private information to make a scandal public, or a public figure known for conspicuous breaches of convention. “Flagitiously” descends from “flagitious,” an adjective meaning scandalously improper or dishonorable, and ultimately from Latin words associated with whipping, public punishment, and disgrace. Though the historical sense is severe, the modern word can be used in broad contexts involving social or institutional disgrace, not only literal wrongdoing. Its unusual sound and precise emphasis on public shamelessness make it useful in formal writing, rhetoric, and sharply worded criticism.
adverbIn an openly scandalous, disgraceful, or shocking manner, especially in a way that conspicuously violates propriety or invites public condemnation.
- In a scandalously improper, disgraceful, or shocking manner, especially with conspicuous publicity.
"The newspaper had made the minister's misconduct flagitiously public."
"By airing the accusations nationwide, the channel made the scandal flagitiously public."
"The aristocrat was famous, and flagitiously, for humiliating his tenants."
The Latin behind this word evokes public whipping and legal disgrace: flagitiously began with an association with shame before becoming a label for brazen misconduct.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does flagitiously come from?
Flagitiously is an English adverb formed from the adjective flagitious with the suffix -ly. Flagitious comes from Latin flagitiosus, meaning “scandalous” or “disgraceful,” which is related to flagitium, “public disgrace” or “public flogging,” and to flagrare, “to scourge.” Its development preserves an association between public punishment, shame, and conduct that is scandalously open rather than discreet.
How flagitiously is actually used
This is a formal and strongly disapproving word. It is more literary and emphatic than “notoriously,” which can be neutral, and it commonly implies conduct that is both objectionable and publicly conspicuous.
Easily confused with flagitiously
Flagrantly describes something done in a blatant or conspicuous way, while flagitiously emphasizes scandalous, disgraceful, or shocking impropriety.