reputation

noun

rep·​u·​ta·​tion ˌre-pyə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce reputation (audio)
1
a
: overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general
b
: recognition by other people of some characteristic or ability
has the reputation of being clever
2
: a place in public esteem or regard : good name
trying to protect his reputation
reputational adjective

Did you know?

An esteemed word in English, reputation rose to fame during the 14th century and ultimately traces back to the Latin verb reputare, meaning "to take into consideration" or "to think over." Reputare is itself a coupling of the well-known "again" prefix re- and the verb putare, "to reckon." Renowned celebrities of the putare family are the verb repute ("to believe or consider"), the identical noun (synonymous with reputation), the adjectives reputable and reputed, and the adverb reputedly. Other putare cousins of notoriety include dispute, disreputable, imputation, and putative, along with their kin.

Examples of reputation in a Sentence

He has earned a reputation as a first-class playwright. a teacher with a reputation for patience Poor customer service has ruined the company's reputation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Such tactics can also erode user trust and harm your brand’s reputation. Ian Cohen, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 All that and a hometown hero whose reputation in the world of DJ culture rests primarily on his role in defining the art of the mashup mashing things up between while opening the show and serving as de facto MC? Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024 An actor’s reputation can sometimes feel like a heavy yoke; in Gladiator II, Denzel tosses it off and has a blast, taking the audience with him. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024 Any re-entry before Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty is fully restored, war crimes perpetrators are brought to justice, and reparations are addressed will not only tarnish their reputation but also signal corporate complicity in Russia’s ongoing aggression. Nezir Sinani, Fortune Europe, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reputation 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reputacion, from Anglo-French, from Latin reputation-, reputatio consideration, from reputare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of reputation was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near reputation

Cite this Entry

“Reputation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reputation. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

reputation

noun
rep·​u·​ta·​tion ˌrep-yə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce reputation (audio)
1
: overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general
a car with a good reputation
2
: notice by other people of some quality or ability
has the reputation of being a good tennis player
3
: a place in public regard : good name
trying to protect his reputation

Legal Definition

reputation

noun
rep·​u·​ta·​tion
: overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general within a community see also character evidence at evidence, reputation testimony at testimony

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