Famous vs. Infamous vs. Notorious – Which is Correct?

While often confused, famous, infamous, and notorious describe different types of recognition. Famous denotes widespread positive or neutral recognition. Infamous refers to being known for a bad quality or deed. Notorious specifically means being well-known or talked about for a particular crime or negative characteristic.

Famous or Infamous or Notorious – Which is Correct?

All three words—famous, infamous, and notorious—are correct English words, but they carry distinct connotations. The primary distinction lies in the nature of the recognition they describe. Famous is generally positive or neutral, indicating widespread renown or celebrity. Think of a famous scientist or a famous landmark. Infamous, on the other hand, is distinctly negative, meaning “well-known for some bad quality or deed.” It implies a reputation that is disgraceful or scandalous. Lastly, notorious also carries a negative connotation, but it often specifies being known for a particular, often illicit or scandalous, act, person, or place. A criminal might be notorious for a series of bank robberies.

While this article covers all three, a deeper dive into Famous vs. Infamous can further clarify the nuances between these often-confused terms.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To keep these words straight, use the “Connotation Check” trick:

• For Famous: Think of “Fabulous” – generally a positive or aspirational association.
• For Infamous: Focus on the “in-” prefix, which often means “not” or “without,” suggesting a lack of good reputation, leading to a “negative” reputation.
• For Notorious: Remember “Noticeable for Naughtiness” – it highlights being widely known for something bad, often specific misconduct or a negative trait.

Another way to think about it: if you want to be known for something good, you want to be famous. If you are known for something bad, you are infamous. If you are known for a specific bad act or characteristic, you are notorious.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Famous	Adjective	Known by many people; widely recognized and often admired.	The city is famous for its beautiful architecture.
Infamous	Adjective	Well-known for some bad quality or deed; notorious.	The dictator became infamous for his cruelty.
Notorious	Adjective	Well-known or talked about, especially for something bad.	The gang leader was notorious for his violent methods.

How to Use Famous

The adjective famous is used to describe someone or something that is widely known, recognized, or celebrated. The recognition can be for positive achievements, notable qualities, or simply widespread popularity. It generally carries a positive or neutral tone. You can be famous for your acting, your inventions, or even just for being a public figure. It is a common word in both formal and casual contexts.

Example 1: Marie Curie is a famous scientist known for her groundbreaking work in radioactivity.

Example 2: The restaurant became famous for its innovative fusion cuisine.

Example 3: The ancient ruins are a famous tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the globe.

What are the different forms of Famous?

As an adjective, famous has comparative and superlative forms:

• Comparative: more famous (e.g., “She is more famous than her brother.”)
• Superlative: most famous (e.g., “He is the most famous artist of his generation.”)
• Noun form: fame (e.g., “He achieved international fame.”)

Etymology of the word Famous

The word famous originates from the Old French fameus, meaning “renowned, celebrated,” which itself comes from the Latin famosus, meaning “much talked about, renowned, celebrated.” This Latin root is derived from fama, meaning “report, rumor, tradition, reputation, renown.” The English word has been in use since the late 14th century.

How to Use Infamous

The adjective infamous describes someone or something that is well-known for a negative reason, typically for a bad quality, deed, or reputation. It always carries a strong negative connotation, implying disgrace, discredit, or a scandalous reputation. It’s used when the notoriety stems from something widely considered immoral, criminal, or deeply undesirable. It is a more formal word, often used in serious discussions about history, crime, or ethics.

Example 1: The serial killer became infamous for the brutality of his crimes.

Example 2: The company’s infamous data breach led to a massive loss of public trust.

Example 3: He was an infamous figure in political history, remembered for his corrupt practices.

What are the different forms of Infamous?

As an adjective, infamous has comparative and superlative forms:

• Comparative: more infamous (e.g., “His second scandal was more infamous than the first.”)
• Superlative: most infamous (e.g., “The betrayal was arguably the most infamous act of his career.”)
• Noun form: infamy (e.g., “He lived in infamy after his crimes were exposed.”)

Etymology of the word Infamous

Infamous entered English in the late 14th century, derived from the Old French infame, meaning “notorious, shameful.” This traces back to the Latin infamis, meaning “of ill repute, ill-spoken of, notorious.” The Latin word is formed from the prefix in- (“not, opposite of”) and fama (“report, reputation”). Thus, its original meaning directly reflected “not having a good reputation.”

How to Use Notorious

The adjective notorious describes someone or something that is widely known or talked about, specifically for a negative quality, a particular crime, or a scandalous event. While similar to infamous in its negative connotation, notorious often emphasizes the widespread public awareness of the negative aspect. It can imply a certain fear or awe associated with the person or thing in question. It’s commonly used to describe criminals, dangerous places, or significant scandals. It can appear in both formal and informal contexts.

Example 1: The city’s East End was once notorious for its criminal underworld.

Example 2: The pirate Blackbeard was notorious for his fearsome appearance and ruthless tactics.

Example 3: Her notorious temper often led to dramatic confrontations.

What are the different forms of Notorious?

As an adjective, notorious has comparative and superlative forms:

• Comparative: more notorious (e.g., “His later escapades became more notorious than his early ones.”)
• Superlative: most notorious (e.g., “Al Capone is arguably the most notorious gangster in American history.”)
• Noun form: notoriety (e.g., “The scandal brought him unwanted notoriety.”)

Etymology of the word Notorious

Notorious comes from the Late Latin notorius, meaning “well-known, known, notable,” which in turn is from the Latin notus, meaning “known,” the past participle of noscere “to come to know.” The negative connotation developed in the 16th century, likely influenced by the association of “public knowledge” with scandalous or criminal acts that were widely reported. It entered English in the early 16th century.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader linguistic concepts can help solidify the distinctions between these closely related words.

• Connotation: This refers to the emotional associations or cultural implications that a word carries, beyond its literal definition. Famous has positive or neutral connotations, while infamous and notorious both carry strong negative connotations, making connotation a key differentiator.
• Prefixes: The prefix “in-” in infamous is a common negative prefix (meaning “not” or “without”), which immediately signals a negative quality, similar to words like “inactive” or “incomplete.” Recognizing this helps to quickly understand the negative nature of infamous.

Examples from Media and Literature

• In literature, characters like Sherlock Holmes are famous detectives, celebrated for their intellect and deductive skills.
• Many historical figures, such as Benedict Arnold, became infamous for their acts of betrayal or treason.
• The Joker, a character from DC Comics, is notorious for his chaotic schemes and arch-nemesis relationship with Batman.
• The song “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson features the lyric, “Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?” about a notorious criminal.
• The phrase “a day that will live in infamy” was used by President Roosevelt to describe the attack on Pearl Harbor, emphasizing the dishonorable and memorable nature of the event.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word (famous, infamous, or notorious) to complete the sentence.

1. The ancient city of Rome is ________ for its gladiatorial contests and powerful emperors.
2. The hacker became ________ after successfully breaching the highly secure government servers.
3. His ________ temper was well-known among his colleagues, making them cautious around him.
4. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is ________ worldwide for his peaceful civil rights activism.
5. The abandoned house was ________ for its ghostly sightings and eerie sounds.

Answer Key

1. famous
2. infamous
3. notorious
4. famous
5. notorious

Famous Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Renowned	Known or talked about by many people; celebrated.
Celebrated	Greatly admired; acclaimed.
Distinguished	Successful, authoritative, and commanding respect.
Prominent	Important; famous.

Infamous Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Disgraceful	Bringing shame or discredit; shockingly bad.
Scandalous	Causing general public outrage by a perceived offense against morality or law.
Dishonorable	Bringing shame or loss of honor.
Ignominious	Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.

Notorious Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Scandalous	Causing general public outrage by a perceived offense against morality or law.
Ill-famed	Having a bad reputation.
Disreputable	Not considered to be respectable in character or appearance.
Flagrant	(Of an action considered wrong or immoral) conspicuously or obviously offensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can someone be both famous and infamous?
Yes, it is possible for someone to be both famous and infamous. A person might be famous for their artistic talent or scientific breakthroughs, but simultaneously infamous for their controversial personal life, unethical business practices, or a specific scandal. For example, a renowned artist might be infamous for tax evasion.

Question 2: Is “notorious” always negative?
In modern English, notorious almost exclusively carries a negative connotation, meaning “well-known for something bad.” While its etymological roots once meant simply “well-known,” its usage has evolved to specifically refer to negative renown. Using it in a positive context would be considered incorrect or highly unusual by most native speakers.

Question 3: What’s the difference in intensity between infamous and notorious?
While both are negative, infamous tends to describe a general state of being known for bad character or deeds, implying a pervasive disgrace. Notorious often has a more specific focus, highlighting being well-known for a particular act, place, or characteristic that is widely talked about, sometimes with an element of fear or fascination. They are often interchangeable in many contexts, but notorious can sometimes imply a more active, talked-about recognition for specific bad acts.

Conclusion

Understanding the nuances between famous, infamous, and notorious is crucial for precise communication. While famous celebrates positive or neutral recognition, infamous and notorious both denote negative renown, with notorious often emphasizing a specific, widely discussed negative attribute or act. Differentiating these terms allows you to convey the exact nature of someone’s or something’s reputation.

Pro Tip: Always consider the connotation. If you’re describing widespread positive recognition, use famous. If the recognition is for something bad, choose between infamous (general bad reputation) and notorious (known for specific bad acts or traits).