The word "infamy" is spelled with an "i" followed by an "n," then "f," "a," "m," and "y." In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈɪnfəmi/. The stress falls on the second syllable "fə," which is pronounced like "fuh." "Infamy" is used to describe something that is notoriously disgraceful or shameful. Its spelling can be easily remembered by breaking it into three parts: "in," "fam," and "y," as it represents a situation where one is known for their bad conduct.
Infamy is a noun that refers to a state of being famous for a shameful or notorious act, behavior, or reputation. It describes a condition of having a bad or evil reputation or being widely known for something dishonorable. It is the opposite of fame, as it entails notoriety and disrepute instead of admiration or respect.
Infamy often stems from actions that are morally reprehensible, criminal, or scandalous, resulting in public disgrace and a loss of personal or professional credibility. This term emphasizes the negative impact and lasting stigma associated with a person's deeds, which can detrimentally affect their relationships, career prospects, or social standing.
The word 'infamy' often carries a collective sense, being linked to historical events, deeds, or figures that have gained a notorious status due to their malevolent actions. Examples of infamy include dictators responsible for widespread human rights abuses, terrorists who orchestrated devastating attacks, or individuals involved in high-profile scandals. In such cases, the infamy of these figures extends beyond their personal reputation and becomes ingrained in the collective memory and consciousness of a society, often defining a particular era or generation.
Overall, infamy represents a state of being infamous, wherein an individual or event is marred by disgrace, ignominy, and a legacy defined by their detrimental or immoral actions.
Public disgrace; extreme baseness or vileness; qualities which are detested and despised.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "infamy" comes from the Latin word "infamia", which is derived from the combination of "in-" meaning "not" and "fama" meaning "reputation" or "good name". In Latin, "infamia" referred to a loss or lack of reputation, often associated with dishonor or disgrace. Over time, the word was adopted into English and has retained its negative connotation, referring to the state of being notorious, disreputable, or having a bad reputation.