Cool MateInfamous vs Renowned
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Infamous
Top 3,000 (common)C1adjective
Renowned
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1adjective
Most formal: Renowned
| Infamous | Renowned | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪnfəməs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnfəməs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈnaʊnd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈnaʊnd/"]/ |
| Meaning | Well known for something bad. | Well-known and respected. |
| Example | a general who was infamous for his brutality | a renowned author |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | infamous for, infamous criminal, infamous act, infamous reputation, infamous scandal | renowned author, renowned scientist, renowned artist, renowned for achievements, renowned institution |
| Antonyms | unknown, obscure, famous | 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 '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 '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 Renowned
What's the difference between Infamous and Renowned?
Infamous: Well known for something bad. Renowned: Well-known and respected.
Which is more formal: Infamous and Renowned?
Renowned is the most formal of these.
Are Infamous and Renowned the same CEFR level?
Infamous: C1, Renowned: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Infamous and Renowned?
Infamous: adjective, Renowned: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Infamous: a general who was infamous for his brutality Renowned: a renowned author
Can I use Infamous and Renowned interchangeably?
Not always. Infamous 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.