reputedly
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of reputedly
Explanation
Use the adverb reputedly for things that are said by many to be a certain way, like the unpromising-looking pizza place that's reputedly the best Italian restaurant in your neighborhood. When people generally believe that you're really fast at reading, you're a reputedly speedy reader. And if the creepy old house next door is reputedly haunted, that means that everyone says ghosts live there. Another way to think of reputedly is meaning "by reputation." In fact, the two words share a Latin root, reputare, "to count over, reckon, or think over."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Reputedly, he destroyed hundreds of his own negatives, and the celluloid was melted down -- and some of it used as raw material to make soldiers' boots during World War I.
From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026
Reputedly, he kept copies of Austen’s works in all his residences, and her dedication of “Emma” was a response to well-wishers hoping the author might benefit from royal patronage.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025
Reputedly the largest independent bookstore in Southern California, the store has two locations in Pasadena, two boutiques at LAX airport, and an e-commerce site.
From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2024
Reputedly a former speak-easy, it was first home to Seattle’s legendary, 50-seat Empty Space Theatre.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 1, 2022
Reputedly, they won’t come until you win, yet win Miami has, by 69-18 over then-No.
From Washington Post • Nov. 12, 2017
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
