reputable
Americanadjective
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held in good repute; honorable; respectable; estimable.
a reputable organization.
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considered to be good or acceptable usage; standard.
reputable speech.
adjective
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having a good reputation; honoured, trustworthy, or respectable
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(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"
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List 2
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Words from the 2020 Vice Presidential Debate
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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.
According to Puck News’ Leigh Ann Caldwell, who cited “a reputable Democratic source,” the congresswoman and her fiancé Riley Roberts called off their engagement “about 18 months ago.”
From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2026
Right now, people have to go out of their way to find information from reputable sources.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
But in the past two weeks, a couple of reputable pollsters have shown his establishment opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, narrowly ahead.
From Slate ● Jul. 18, 2026
"It's two to three hour commute which can be difficult but I'm gaining valuable experience at a reputable company, so I'm incredibly happy," she says.
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026
It was one of the best known and most reputable private detective agencies in New York.
From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie
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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.