infamousin‧fa‧mous /ˈɪnfəməs/ ●○○ adjective 
Word Origin
an infamous killer Los Angeles’ infamous smoginfamous for This area is infamous for drugs and prostitution.► see thesaurus at famous—infamously adverb
Word OriginWORD ORIGINinfamous
ExamplesOrigin:
1300-1400 Latin infamis, from fama; ➔ FAMEEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- infamous killer
- an infamous crime
- He was a member of the regime's infamous secret police.
- The night club is named after New Orleans' infamous red light district.
THESAURUSfamous because of something bad► notorious
Collocations famous because of doing something bad: · a notorious criminal· a notorious legal case
► infamous famous because of doing something very bad, which seems immoral or evil: · the infamous attack on the World Trade Center· the infamous Jack the Ripper
Longman Language Activatorfamous► famous famous people, places, books etc are known about and talked about by a lot of people in a lot of places: · Famous stars like Keanu Reeves and Demi Moore attended the party.· The package includes a tour of Sydney's famous Opera House.· "David Copperfield" is one of Dickens' most famous books.famous for: · Manchester is famous for its nightlife and for its football teams.world-famous (=famous all over the world): · Rio's world-famous carnival
► well-known/well known famous, especially in a particular place or among a particular group of people: · She works in local radio, and is quite well known in the Houston area.· Large companies have an advantage because of their well-known brand names.well-known/well known for: · The island is well-known for its beautiful beaches.better-known/best-known: · Pat Boone is one of America's best-known Christian entertainers.
► legendary someone or something that is legendary is famous for being very special or interesting, and people like to talk or read about them: · The studio was owned by Sam Goldwyn, the legendary Hollywood producer.· The album was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road studios.
► celebrated very well known, admired, and talked about by a lot of people, especially because of some special success or achievement: · Martin Luther King Jr. gave his celebrated speech before the Lincoln Memorial in 1963.· Van Gogh, perhaps Holland's most celebrated artist, died in poverty.
► noted: noted musician/scientist/surgeon etc well known and respected because of a special ability or achievement: · The picture was taken in the mid-1880s by the noted photographer C.S. Fly.· The author quotes Stephen Jay Gould, the noted Harvard scientist, to support his theories.
► renowned famous for a particular quality or activity: · Jesse Jackson, the renowned civil rights leader, was in the city again last night.renowned for: · Barbados is renowned for the marvellous cricket players it produces.renowned as: · Renowned as a newspaper editor, Greeley ran against Grant for president in 1872.
► eminent an eminent doctor, lawyer, scientist etc is famous for being extremely successful in his or her profession and is admired and respected for this: · She's an eminent psychiatrist at the Harvard Medical School.· While he lived, Nehru remained the most eminent spokesman for the Third World.
► notorious someone who is notorious is famous because of something bad they have done: · One of Britain's most notorious criminals has escaped from prison.· Davis is a notorious woman-hater.notorious for: · English soccer fans are notorious for their drunkenness.
► infamous famous for being bad, especially for being immoral or evil: · He was a member of the regime's infamous secret police.· The night club is named after New Orleans' infamous red light district.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB► most
Word family· This is captured dramatically in this century's most infamous example of visionary leadership.· The most infamous example of that is his dumb and dumber, fourth-and-one call against Philadelphia from his own 29.· Thalidomide, the drug prescribed in the Fifties for morning sickness, is the most infamous example.
► now· The children were invited to the farm to play, to swim with other local children in the now infamous quarry.· The idealistic arm of animal protectionism also includes its fair share of extremists, such as the now infamous Animal Liberation Front.
WORD FAMILYadjectivefamedfamousinfamousadverbfamouslyinfamouslynounfame
well known for being bad or evil: an infamous killer Los Angeles’ infamous smoginfamous for This area is infamous for drugs and prostitution.► see thesaurus at famous—infamously adverb