- Today's Word
Ignominious
ig-nuh-MIN-ee-uhs
Definition
- (adjective) Deserving or causing public disgrace, shame, or humiliation.
Example
The team suffered an ignominious defeat after losing by a record-breaking margin.
Fun Fact
“Ignominious” comes from the Latin ignominia, which combines in- (“not”) and nomen (“name” or “reputation”), meaning “without a good name.” Throughout history, ignominious punishments—such as public shaming—were used to enforce social order. Today, the word is often used to describe humiliating losses, scandals, or embarrassing failures.
(noun) Deep-seated hatred or hostility between people or groups.
Years of competition had grown into open enmity, making cooperation nearly impossible.
From Latin inimīcitia, meaning “hostility,” related to inimīcus (“enemy”).