infamous
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in·fa·mous
(ĭn′fə-məs)adj.
1. Having an exceedingly bad reputation; notorious: an infamous outlaw.
2. 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).
3. Law Convicted of a crime, such as treason or felony, that carries a severe punishment. No longer in technical use.
[Middle English infamis, from Latin īnfāmis : in-, not; see in-1 + fāma, renown, fame; see bhā- in Indo-European roots.]
in′fa·mous·ly adv.
in′fa·mous·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
infamous
(ˈɪnfəməs)adj
1. having a bad reputation; notorious
2. causing or deserving a bad reputation; shocking: infamous conduct.
3. (Law) criminal law (formerly)
a. (of a person) deprived of certain rights of citizenship on conviction of certain offences
b. (of a crime or punishment) entailing such deprivation
ˈinfamously adv
ˈinfamousness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
in•fa•mous
(ˈɪn fə məs)adj.
1. having an extremely bad reputation.
2. deserving of or causing an evil reputation; shamefully bad; detestable: an infamous deed.
3. Law.
a. (of a convicted felon) deprived of certain rights as a citizen.
b. pertaining to offenses involving such deprivation.
[1350–1400; Middle English < Latin infāmis]
in′fa•mous•ly, adv.
in′fa•mous•ness, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
famous
– well-known – notorious – infamous1. 'famous'
If someone or something is famous, very many people know about them.
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a famous writer?
...the world's most famous picture.
2. 'well-known'
Well-known has a similar meaning to famous. However, a well-known person or thing is usually known to fewer people or in a smaller area than a famous one.
...a club run by Paul Ross, a well-known Lakeland climber.
...his two well-known books on modern art.
Well-known can be spelled with or without a hyphen. You usually spell it with a hyphen in front of a noun and without a hyphen after a verb.
I took him to a well-known doctor in Harley Street.
The building became very well known.
3. 'notorious'
Someone or something that is notorious is well known for something that is bad or undesirable.
The area was notorious for murders.
...his notorious arrogance.
4. 'infamous'
People and things are described as infamous when they are well known because they are connected with wicked or cruel behaviour.
...the infamous serial killer known as 'the Boston Strangler'.
...the infamous shower scene from Psycho.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Adj. | 1. | infamous - known widely and usually unfavorably; "a notorious gangster"; "the tenderloin district was notorious for vice"; "the infamous Benedict Arnold"; disreputable - lacking respectability in character or behavior or appearance |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
infamous
adjective notorious, base, shocking, outrageous, disgraceful, monstrous, shameful, vile, scandalous, wicked, atrocious, heinous, odious, hateful, loathsome, ignominious, disreputable, egregious, abominable, villainous, dishonourable, nefarious, iniquitous, detestable, opprobrious, ill-famed, flagitious He was infamous for his anti-feminist attitudes.
glorious, noble, esteemed, honourable, reputable, virtuous
glorious, noble, esteemed, honourable, reputable, virtuous
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
infamous
adjective2. So objectionable as to elicit despisal or deserve condemnation:
abhorrent, abominable, antipathetic, contemptible, despicable, despisable, detestable, disgusting, filthy, foul, loathsome, lousy, low, mean, nasty, nefarious, obnoxious, odious, repugnant, rotten, shabby, vile, wretched.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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Spanish / Español
infamous
[ˈɪnfəməs] ADJ [person] → infame, de mala fama; [conduct, crime, speech] → infameto be infamous for sth → ser infame por algo
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
infamous
(ˈinfəməs) adjective1. (of something bad) well-known; notorious. infame
ˈinfamy nounKernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.