What does infamy mean?
Infamy denotes intense public disgrace or a notoriously bad reputation. Unlike ordinary notoriety, which can be neutral or even advantageous, infamy specifically suggests that a person or thing is remembered for shameful conduct, cruelty, scandal, or wrongdoing. The word can characterize the condition suffered by someone or something, as in enduring a legacy of infamy, or refer to a particularly notorious deed. Because it describes not merely fame but its strongly negative counterpart, infamy often appears in historical, political, legal, and literary discussions. It may sound elevated or old-fashioned in casual conversation, where a simpler term such as disgrace, notoriety, or infamy is more naturally used. Understanding the word also helps distinguish the noun from its familiar derivative, infamous, which describes someone or something responsible for or associated with such disgrace.
nounInfamy means extreme public disgrace, disrepute, or notorious reputation. It can also refer to an act or deed regarded as especially shameful or notorious.
- Extreme public disgrace, disrepute, or notorious reputation attaching to a person, institution, or action.
- An act or deed regarded as especially shameful or notorious.
"Her involvement in the fraud brought her lasting infamy."
"The ruler's cruelty condemned his descendants to centuries of infamy."
"They debated whether the historical tragedy was a source of enlightenment or lasting infamy."
The plural is standard but less common than the singular, particularly when referring to a condition or reputation.
"The novel examines the infamies perpetrated during the war."
Infamy is fame's dark shadow: not merely being remembered, but being remembered for disgrace.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does infamy come from?
Infamy entered Middle English from Latin infāmia, a noun meaning bad fame or public disgrace. It was formed from infāmis, meaning notorious or infamous, using the negative prefix in- and fāmis, the genitive form of fāma, meaning fame or reputation. The same Latin family produced English words including famous and defame, as well as the derived adjective infamous.
Related word forms
How infamy is actually used
The word is formal and often carries a historical or moralizing tone. It is stronger than bad reputation and implies a degree of public disgrace that is difficult to dispel.
Easily confused with infamy
Infamy is the noun meaning intense public disgrace or notorious reputation, whereas infamous is the adjective describing someone or something known for such a reputation.