Is infamous the opposite of famous? Infamous is not the opposite of famous. It does not mean "not famous" or "exceptionally famous." It means "having a reputation of the worst kind."

Definition of infamous adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

INFAMOUS definition: 1. famous for something considered bad: 2. famous for something considered bad: 3. well known for…. Learn more.

Infamous is from Latin infamis, for negative fame. If you're bad but unknown, then you're not infamous — it's reserved for those wicked and well-known people that capture our collective imagination.

Apr 8, 2026 · infamous (comparative more infamous, superlative most infamous) Having a bad reputation; disreputable; notorious; unpleasant or evil; widely known, especially for something scornful.

Someone or something that is notorious is well known for something that is bad or undesirable. The area was notorious for murders.

Infamous means having, deserving, or resulting in a bad or evil reputation. The word is typically used to describe people, actions, and events. It’s especially used in the context of violent crimes, scandals, …

INFAMOUS meaning: 1 : well-known for being bad known for evil acts or crimes; 2 : causing people to think you are bad or evil

Infamous people or things are well-known because of something bad. He was infamous for his anti-feminist attitudes.

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 …