What does inglorious mean?
Inglorious refers to something that lacks glory, honor, or dignity. It describes events, actions, or outcomes that are considered shameful, ignominious, or disreputable. The term is often used to express disappointment, disapproval, or disdain. For instance, a team's inglorious exit from a tournament implies a disappointing or embarrassing loss. The word can also describe a person's behavior or actions that bring shame or discredit. Inglorious is a useful word for conveying a sense of regret, disappointment, or disapproval in a nuanced and expressive way. It is commonly used in formal and informal contexts, including news articles, literature, and everyday conversation.
adjectiveNot glorious; shameful or ignominious.
- Not glorious; shameful or ignominious.
- Not bringing honor or glory; disreputable.
"The team's inglorious exit from the tournament was a disappointment to fans."
"The company's inglorious history of environmental disasters led to widespread criticism."
"The politician's inglorious resignation was a result of the scandal."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of inglorious
The word inglorious originated from the Latin 'inglorius', which is a combination of 'in-' (meaning 'not') and 'glorius' (meaning 'glorious'). The term has been used in English since the 15th century to describe something that lacks glory or honor. It is related to the word glory and its derivatives, such as glorious and glorify.
Usage notes
Often used to describe events, actions, or outcomes that are considered shameful or embarrassing.