Cool MateInfamous vs Notorious vs Renowned
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Infamous
Top 3,000 (common)C1adjective
Notorious
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1adjective
Renowned
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1adjective
Most formal: Renowned
| Infamous | Notorious | Renowned | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪnfəməs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnfəməs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/nəʊˈtɔːriəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/nəʊˈtɔːriəs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈnaʊnd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈnaʊnd/"]/ |
| Meaning | Well known for something bad. | Famous for something bad | Well-known and respected. |
| Example | a general who was infamous for his brutality | a notorious criminal | a renowned author |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | infamous for, infamous criminal, infamous act, infamous reputation, infamous scandal | notorious for, notorious criminal, notorious behavior | renowned author, renowned scientist, renowned artist, renowned for achievements, renowned institution |
| Antonyms | unknown, obscure, famous | unknown, obscure, unfamous | unknown, obscure |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'famous' with 'infamous' - 'famous' is for positive recognition., Using 'infamous' in a positive context incorrectly., Not using 'infamous' with a specific action or reason. | Confused with 'famous' which can be positive., Often used incorrectly with 'to be notorious of'., Mixing up the meaning with 'infamous'. | Confused with 'renown' (the noun form)., Using 'renowned' in informal situations., Mixing up 'renowned' with similar-sounding but incorrect words. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe people or actions known for negative reasons. Avoid using in formal settings where a more neutral term may be better. | Use 'notorious' when referring to someone or something widely known for a negative reason. Avoid in positive contexts. | Use 'renowned' in formal contexts to describe someone or something that is famous and respected. It's not appropriate for casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Infamous vs Notorious vs Renowned
What's the difference between Infamous, Notorious, and Renowned?
Infamous: Well known for something bad. Notorious: Famous for something bad Renowned: Well-known and respected.
Which is more formal: Infamous, Notorious, and Renowned?
Renowned is the most formal of these.
Are Infamous, Notorious, and Renowned the same CEFR level?
Infamous: C1, Notorious: C1, Renowned: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Infamous, Notorious, and Renowned?
Infamous: adjective, Notorious: adjective, Renowned: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Infamous: a general who was infamous for his brutality Notorious: a notorious criminal Renowned: a renowned author
Can I use Infamous, Notorious, and Renowned interchangeably?
Not always. Infamous, Notorious, and Renowned are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.