What does infamously mean?
“Infamously” is an adverb meaning “in a way that is notoriously disgraceful” or “with a very bad public reputation.” It is commonly used to characterize people, organizations, actions, or events that have become associated with scandal, corruption, cruelty, incompetence, or other disreputable qualities. Unlike the neutral phrase “known for,” “infamously known for” adds a strongly negative judgment and emphasizes that the reputation is widely recognized. For example, a company may be described as “infamously known for ignoring safety standards.” The word is especially effective when the subject is already notorious and the speaker wants to make the negative association unmistakable. It is standard in formal and informal English, although formal writing often favors precise descriptions over broad rhetorical labels. “Infamously” derives from “infamous,” whose Latin root means “ill-famed” or “notorious.”
adverbIn a way that is known or regarded as shameful, notorious, or disreputable. It is used to characterize something that has become widely associated with scandal, disgrace, or extreme badness.
- In a way characterized by a notorious, shameful, or scandalous reputation.
"The company became infamously known for ignoring safety regulations."
"The politician was infamously associated with corruption during his final years."
"The restaurant has been infamously inconsistent, serving excellent food on one occasion and cold meals on another."
The word carries its scandal in its Latin root: infamis literally means “notorious” or “ill-famed,” so “infamously” means being known for the worst kind of reputation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does infamously come from?
The adverb comes from the adjective “infamous,” which was borrowed from Latin infāmis, meaning “notorious” or “ill-famed.” In English, “infamous” developed the meaning of being infamous for something bad or disgraceful. The adverb “infamously” was formed from this adjective and is now widely used to describe notorious conduct or reputations.
Related word forms
How infamously is actually used
Usually negative and strongly disapproving. It often describes conduct, reputations, decisions, or events that have become publicly associated with scandal or disgrace.
Easily confused with infamously
“Famously” can indicate that someone or something is widely known, often neutrally or positively, whereas “infamously” specifically conveys a negative reputation or public disgrace.