reputation

American  

[rep-yuh-tey-shuhn] / ˌrɛp yəˈteɪ ʃən /

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.

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reputation British  

/ 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. to be known or notorious, esp for promiscuity, excessive drinking, or the like

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Usage

What does reputation mean? A reputation is the opinion people or a wider community have of a person, group of people, company, or similar, as in The restaurant had a reputation for slow service but excellent food. A reputation is also someone’s favorable standing in the community, as in Stella protected her business’s reputation by always giving excellent customer service. A reputation also means being known for something. In this sense, you can have a good reputation or a bad one, as in Hanging around with violent gangs will get you a reputation. Note that reputation is different from character. Your reputation is what other people think of you, while your character is your internal qualities. A reputation is often about perception, which means it’s not always factual. Knowing where a reputation comes from can help you determine if it’s deserved or not. Example: The university had a reputation for turning out influential artists.

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• reputational adjective
• reputationless adjective
• self-reputation noun

Etymology

Origin of reputation

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

Explanation

Your reputation is the general belief or opinion that other people have about you. If you are considered trustworthy and kind, you have a good reputation. Reputation comes from the Latin word reputationem, which means "consideration." It's how people consider, or label, you — good or bad. The noun reputation can also mean "being known for having a specific skill or characteristic." For example, if you have a reputation in snow shoveling, your phone will soon be ringing off the hook with your lazy neighbors calling.

Example Sentences

The financial losses and damage to Mubi’s reputation show how an investor’s political associations can have disastrous repercussions for a portfolio company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Harrogate's reputation as a well-to-do area hid the reality of life there for some people, Wright added.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

“Quantum presents an important call option for the long-term investment case,” Boolani wrote, citing IBM’s reputation as a leader in the space.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

It is not at all hard to believe that Melania would make a statement designed to salvage her own reputation, even if it simultaneously sells out her husband’s.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

I knew what was going through her mind—that she had saved my reputation, and here I was running loose again already.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

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