student asking question

Can I use "celebrity" as a negative meaning? Maybe famous criminal or something?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Celebrity" typically doesn't have a negative connotation tied to it. When discussing a well-known criminal, we usually use the word "infamous." "Infamous" means to be well-known for a bad quality or for doing something bad. Ex: Former President Nixon is infamous for the Watergate Scandal. Ex: Carmen Sandiego is an infamous criminal. Ex: Ted Bundy is infamous for murdering many women.

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