# infamy

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɪnfəmi/ · frequency rank #34,540

## Definitions
1. The state of being infamous.
2. A reprehensible occurrence or situation.
3. A stigma attaching to a person's character that disqualifies them from being a witness.

## Etymology
From late Middle English infamie, from Old French infamie, from Latin īnfāmia (“infamy”), from īnfāmis (“infamous”), from in- (“not”) + fāma (“fame, renown”). Displaced native Old English unhlīsa (literally “bad fame”).

## Easily confused with
- **inlay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infamy-vs-inlay)
- **infant** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infamy-vs-infant)
- **infancy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infamy-vs-infancy)
- **inflame** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infamy-vs-inflame)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ifnamy`, `inafmy`, `infammy`, `infamyy`, `infaym`, `inffamy`, `infmay`, `innfamy`, `nifamy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/infamy