reputable
Americanadjective
-
held in good repute; honorable; respectable; estimable.
a reputable organization.
-
considered to be good or acceptable usage; standard.
reputable speech.
adjective
-
having a good reputation; honoured, trustworthy, or respectable
-
(of words) acceptable as good usage; standard
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of reputable
Explanation
Want the real scoop on your favorite singer's latest romance? Then you should probably find a more reputable source than the tabloids — meaning someone with a better reputation, in this case for telling the truth. That's the thing with reputable reputations. People know you can be trusted, that you're honest and not trying to pull one over on anybody. Reputable institutions usually have a history of excellent service or outstanding work, and always come highly recommended. Reputable used car salesmen may seem scarce. The word reputable actually has a good deal of reputability itself, since it's been in standard use since the 17th century.
Vocabulary lists containing reputable
100 SAT words Beginning with "R"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
List 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Words from the 2020 Vice Presidential Debate
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Two reputable Greek news outlets are reporting that notes handwritten in Ukrainian were found aboard the vessel.
From BBC • May 9, 2026
He was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York, which is a very fine office, and he then worked in Big Law for some very reputable law firms.
From Slate • May 4, 2026
There is little reputable evidence to back their claims.
From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026
When I was starting out, you couldn’t really start your career without getting music released and having music signed by a reputable label.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
“Why it seems scarcely likely that a reputable person would endanger himself in so ridiculous a fashion, if he weren’t convinced he were on safe ground.”
From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
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.
