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infame

infamous

adjective een-FAH-meh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Values

Origin: Latin infamis (of ill repute).

Also means

vile

Usage Note

Infame is a two-ending adjective (infame for both masculine and feminine, infami for the plural). In formal Italian it means 'infamous' or 'of very bad reputation'. In colloquial speech, especially in southern Italy, it is used as a strong insult meaning 'traitor' or 'snitch'. Context matters greatly — the register ranges from literary to very offensive.

Examples

"Ha commesso un gesto infame."

Natural Translation

He committed a vile act.

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