WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
in•fa•mous /ˈɪnfəməs/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- of or relating to infamy:infamous for the disgraceful way he treated women.
- deserving of or causing an evil reputation:an infamous deed.
in•fa•mous
(in′fə məs),USA pronunciation adj.
in′fa•mous•ly, adv.
in′fa•mous•ness, n.
- having an extremely bad reputation:an infamous city.
- deserving of or causing an evil reputation;
shamefully malign;
detestable:an infamous deed. - Law
- deprived of certain rights as a citizen, as a consequence of conviction of certain offenses.
- of or pertaining to offenses involving such deprivation.
- Latin infām(is) (see infamy) + -ous
- Middle English 1350–1400
in′fa•mous•ness, n.
- 1. disreputable, ill-famed, notorious. 2. disgraceful, scandalous; nefarious, odious, wicked, shocking, vile, base, heinous, villainous.
- 1. reputable. 2. praiseworthy, admirable.