ignominy
IG-nuh-min-ee
/ˈɪɡnəmɪni/
Public shame, disgrace, or dishonor.
Refers to the loss of reputation and social standing inflicted by disgraceful conduct.
The story behind the word. Ignominy comes from Latin 'ignominia', formed by joining 'in-' (without) and 'nomen' (name). To suffer ignominy literally meant to be stripped of your good name or reputation in the eyes of your fellow citizens.
Word relationships
- disgrace: Disgrace is common and general, whereas ignominy emphasizes dramatic, formal loss of public honor.
- renown: Renown means widespread fame and public honor.
Commonly confused with
- ignorance: Ignorance means lack of knowledge, whereas ignominy means public disgrace.
Word family
- ignominious (adjective): deserving or causing public disgrace or shame
- ignominiously (adverb): in a humiliating or disgraceful manner
Collocations
- suffer the ignominy
- public ignominy
- depths of ignominy
Example sentences
- "The corrupt official suffered the ignominy of being marched out of City Hall in handcuffs." Political fallout
Memory hook
IG-NOMINY: You lose your 'NOM' (name) and end up with NO NAME worth respecting. Stripped of your good name in public.
When not to use
Do not use for personal internal feelings; ignominy is the objective state of public dishonor.
Fun facts
- In ancient Rome, 'ignominia' was an official penalty imposed by censors, stripping a citizen of voting rights and social rank.
Explore more words
ignominious, indignity, opprobrium, infamous, disgraced, obloquy
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