reputation

[ rep-yuh-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the estimation in which a person or thing is held, especially by the community or the public generally; repute:

   a man of good reputation.

   Synonyms: name, regard

2. favorable repute; good name:

   to ruin one's reputation by misconduct.

   Synonyms: recognition, honor, esteem, renown, distinction, fame

   Antonyms: disrepute

3. a favorable and publicly recognized name or standing for merit, achievement, reliability, etc.:

   to build up a reputation.

4. the estimation or name of being, having, having done, etc., something specified:

   He has the reputation of being a shrewd businessman.

reputation

/ ˌrɛpjʊˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the estimation in which a person or thing is generally held; opinion
2. a high opinion generally held about a person or thing; esteem
3. notoriety or fame, esp for some specified characteristic
4. have a reputation
   to be known or notorious, esp for promiscuity, excessive drinking, or the like

Derived Forms

• ˌrepuˈtationless, adjective

Other Word Forms

• repu·tation·al adjective
• self-repu·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reputation¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English reputacioun, from Latin reputātiōn-, stem of reputātiō “computation, consideration,” from reputāt(us) “computed, considered” (past participle of reputāre “to compute, consider”; repute ) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of reputation¹

C14: from Latin reputātiō a reckoning, from reputāre to calculate, meditate; see repute

Synonym Study

Reputation, character are often confused. Reputation, however, is the word which refers to the position one occupies or the standing that one has in the opinion of others, in respect to attainments, integrity, and the like: a fine reputation; a reputation for honesty. Character is the combination of moral and other traits which make one the kind of person one actually is (as contrasted with what others think of one): Honesty is an outstanding trait of his character. See credit.

Example Sentences

The Bafta Games Awards, which launched 21 years ago, have earned a reputation as causing major upsets.

From BBC

"It was the prosecution case he revelled in his reputation as a hard man and his propensity to violence," he said.

From BBC

Tesla shares took a hit Monday after a leading analyst slashed his price target by more than 40%, citing a “perfect storm” created by President Trump’s auto tariffs and Elon Musk’s deteriorating reputation.

From Los Angeles Times

"Edinburgh University is one of the Scotland's oldest and most respected universities with an unparalleled reputation internationally," she said.

From BBC

She brought a reputation as a problem solver for her management of the cleanup of a massive homeless encampment that grew on the Venice beach and boardwalk during the pandemic.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• character
• fame
• honor
• influence
• name
• notoriety
• opinion
• position
• prestige
• prominence
• standing
• stature