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.
Samoyed puppies from reputable breeders cost between $4,000 and $7,000.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
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
The Department of Business and Trade advises people to buy toys from reputable retailers and make sure they are clearly marked with age restrictions.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
They then pose as reputable financial institutions, lawyers, bankers or estate officials, claiming that a wealthy person with your surname has died and imply that they may have left you a substantial inheritance.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
I know how to identify reputable sources, but it takes some time.
From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon
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.
