ill fame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ill fame" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person or entity that has a bad reputation or is known for negative reasons. Example: "Despite his ill fame, he continued to pursue his passion for art, believing that talent would eventually shine through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Her destination was Baltimore where she asked a cab driver to take her to a house of ill fame.

The New Yorker

Pollrooms, and gaming houses and resorts of ill fame subscribed regularly as a gracious service to their patrons.

The New Yorker

It was a complete break or interlude in the operation of petitioners' house of ill fame and was entirely disassociated therefrom.

Cornell University

It was arranged that I should go, with witnesses, to a certain — house of ill fame, as the newspapers call them.

The New Yorker

He found himself denounced more than once by a badly rattled set of conservative Catholic bishops, and enjoyed his ill fame immensely.

The Guardian - Books

India's government, which is led by the same Hindu-nationalist party that rules Gujarat, is dismayed by the ill fame brought to the Hindu right and to India in general by the atrocities of Gujarat.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

They treated hoaxes with solemnity, and turned ill-fame and stupid behaviour into lucrative commodities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Real estate brokers say that in South Boston, the heavily Irish enclave that gained ill-fame for its opposition to school busing in the 1970's, rents have shot up perhaps 70percentt in the last 18 months; and in the traditional triple-deckers that have usually housed a family on each floor, the population is changing.

The New York Times

Parker looked at the raw silk curtains, bleached oak furniture and oil paintings on the walls, and remarked, "Well, it looks just like the entrance to a house of ill-fame". While she was on the Vogue staff, she wrote pieces for Vanity Fair on a steady basis.

HuffPost

This intriguing pairing brings brainy rap about family, friends, and the ills of fame to Terminal 5 on March 30.

The New Yorker

He was, in fact, George J. A. Coulson a native Baltimorean whose initial career, in the eighteen-forties, had been devoted more to running a downtown drugstore than to pursuing the sort of ill-starred fame found by his fellow-local Edgar Allan Poe.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "bad reputation" or "notoriety" for a more contemporary tone. While "ill fame" is grammatically correct, it can sound somewhat archaic.

Common error

Avoid using "ill fame" excessively in modern writing, as it can make your text sound dated. Opt for more common synonyms unless you're aiming for a specific historical or literary effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill fame" functions as a noun phrase, specifically denoting a state of disrepute or notoriety. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct, and it's used to describe a negative reputation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ill fame" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a state of disrepute or notoriety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's acceptable to use but can sound somewhat archaic in modern contexts. It's more common in news, media, and academic writing but less frequent in casual conversation. Consider using synonyms like "bad reputation" or "notoriety" for a more contemporary feel. While understandable, overuse can make your writing sound dated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad reputation

A more common and general way to express a negative public image.

poor reputation

Similar to "bad reputation" but can imply a less severe negative image.

notoriety

Focuses on being widely known, specifically for negative reasons.

disrepute

Emphasizes a loss of respect or good standing.

infamy

Suggests a particularly strong and lasting negative reputation.

bad name

A simpler, more direct alternative.

tainted reputation

Highlights the idea that the reputation has been damaged or corrupted.

scandalous reputation

Implies that the negative reputation is due to a scandal.

negative publicity

Focuses on the public attention aspect of a bad reputation.

unfavorable reputation

A more formal and neutral way of describing a bad reputation.

FAQs

What does "ill fame" mean?

"Ill fame" refers to a bad reputation or notoriety. It implies being known for negative or disreputable reasons.

What can I say instead of "ill fame"?

You can use alternatives like "bad reputation", "notoriety", or "disrepute", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "ill fame" or "bad reputation"?

"Bad reputation" is generally more common and modern. "Ill fame" is grammatically correct but can sound somewhat archaic. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and style of your writing.

How do I use "ill fame" in a sentence?

You can use "ill fame" to describe someone or something known for negative reasons. For example, "The company gained "ill fame" after the scandal was revealed."