reputation
reputation
Pronunciation
/ˌrɛpjʊˈteɪʃən/
re-: /rɛ/
/r/ - alveolar approximant
/ɛ/ - open-mid front unrounded vowel
pu-: /pjʊ/
/pj/- palatalized bilabial stop followed by a near-close near-front rounded vowel.
/ʊ/- near-close near-back rounded vowel.
ta-: /teɪ/
/teɪ/ - alveolar stop followed by a diphthong.
tion: /ʃən/
/ʃ/ - post-alveolar fricative
/ə/ - mid-central vowel (schwa)
/n/ - alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Singular:
reputation
Plural:
reputations
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Word Class: Noun
Definition 1:
The collective perception or belief held by others about an individual, entity, or thing, based on past actions, qualities, or characteristics.
Example: "Her reputation for honesty preceded her."
Synonyms: character, standing, esteem, image, renown, fame, prestige.
Antonyms: disrepute, infamy, dishonor, notoriety, scandal.
Definition 2:
A widespread opinion (whether favorable or unfavorable).
Example: "That restaurant has a reputation for fine dining."
Synonyms: report, name, appraisal, assessment.
Antonyms: anonymity, obscurity.
Definition 3:
The general estimation of a person with reference to his or her character, or qualities.
Example: "He has a good reputation."
Synonyms: credit, good name.
Antonyms: bad name, discredit.
Related Word Forms:
Word Class: Adjective (Reputable)
Definition: Having a good reputation; worthy of respect or esteem.
Example: "A reputable business."
Synonyms: respectable, honorable, trustworthy, credible, reliable.
Antonyms: disreputable, dishonorable, untrustworthy, dubious, shady.
Word Class: Adjective (Disreputable)
Definition: Having a bad reputation; not respectable; dishonorable.
Example: "A disreputable character."
Synonyms: disgraceful, infamous, scandalous, notorious.
Antonyms: reputable, honorable, respectable.
Examples of Use
In News and Online Publications:
Business:
"The company's professional reputation was badly damaged by the affair." (Cambridge Dictionary) This is very common when talking about companies that have had scandals.
"Now, Technics has launched a new pair of earbuds at CES 2025 in a bid to further that reputation." (The Verge) This shows how brands work to maintain and build their reputations.
Politics:
"The government's reputation has already been harmed by a series of scandals." (Cambridge Dictionary) Political reputations are very sensitive to public opinion.
"Morant is one of the faces of the league, and the image of him carrying a gun with his buddies in a Denver-area strip club damages his reputation and that of the NBA." (BostonGlobe.com) This highlights how an individual's actions can affect the reputation of a larger organization.
Culture:
"Lasers haven't always had the best reputation amongst Black and brown folk." (refinery29.com) This shows that reputations can be held by specific groups of people, and that those reputations can be based on past experiences.
"The Chiefs can survive a regular season loss to the 49ers without a stain on their reputation and still make it to the Super Bowl." (The Mercury News) This shows how sports teams also have reputations that are important to them.
In Entertainment:
The concept of "reputation" is a common theme in films and television, where characters often struggle to maintain or rebuild their reputations.
In the music industry, an artist's "reputation" can significantly impact their career. For example, Taylor Swift's album "Reputation" explored themes of how her public image was perceived.
Online gaming platforms often have systems that track player "reputation," influencing how other players interact with them.
In General Public Discourse:
"Online reputation management" is a growing field, as individuals and businesses seek to control their digital footprint.
Social media has amplified the importance of "reputation," as online comments and posts can quickly spread and impact public perception.
In everyday conversation, people often discuss the "reputations" of restaurants, businesses, and individuals.
10 Famous Quotes Using Reputation
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” (Warren Buffett)
“A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep its eye on the spot where the crack was.” (Joseph Hall)
“Your reputation is what you’re perceived to be; your character is what you really are.” (John Wooden)
“A good reputation is more valuable than money.” (Publilius Syrus)
“Concern for your reputation is proof of pride; concern for your character is proof of wisdom.” (Unknown)
“A reputation is built on consistency, not occasional brilliance.” (Unknown)
“Guard your reputation carefully; it is earned slowly and lost quickly.” (Unknown)
“In the end, your reputation will speak when you are no longer in the room.” (Unknown)
“A strong reputation can open doors, but only integrity keeps them open.” (Unknown)
“Chase purpose, not applause; reputation follows substance.” (Unknown)
Etymology
Imagine you're trying to figure out where a river starts. That's kind of what etymology does for words. We trace them back to their origins.
"Reputation" comes from the Latin word "reputatio." Here's how it evolved:
Latin "reputatio":
This word meant "reckoning, computation, consideration." Think of it like "taking stock" or "evaluating" something.
It was formed from the verb "reputare," which meant "to reckon, to count over, to think over."
"Reputare" itself is a combination of "re-" (meaning "again" or "repeatedly") and "putare" (meaning "to think, to consider").
Then:
Over time, "reputatio" shifted its meaning from simply "considering" to the result of that consideration—what people thought of someone or something.
Finally:
It entered English as "reputation," keeping that sense of what people think of you, your character, or your standing.
First Known Use and Meaning:
The word "reputation" appeared in English in the late 14th century.
Its initial meaning was quite close to the Latin "reputatio," involving the act of considering or estimating something.
By the 15th century, the word had begun to take on its modern meaning of the general opinion or estimation of a person or thing.
So, in essence, "reputation" started as the act of thinking something over and then evolved to mean the result of that thinking—the opinion people hold.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Reputation
Common Phrases and Expressions:
To have a reputation for: (e.g., "She has a reputation for honesty.") - This is a very common way to describe someone's standing.
To build a reputation: (e.g., "He worked hard to build a reputation as a skilled lawyer.") - This highlights the effort involved in establishing a good standing.
To damage/ruin/tarnish one's reputation: (e.g., "The scandal damaged his reputation.") - This shows the fragility of one's good name.
To live up to one's reputation: (e.g., "The restaurant lived up to its reputation for fine dining.") - This means to meet or exceed expectations.
To precede one's reputation: (e.g. "His reputation preceded him.") This means that people already know about him before they meet him.
To rest on one's reputation: (e.g. "The company was resting on its reputation, but their service had declined.") This means that they were reliant on past successes.
Why fewer idioms?
"Reputation" is a fairly direct and abstract noun. It describes a state or concept, rather than an action or tangible object. Idioms often rely on figurative language and concrete imagery, which "reputation" doesn't lend itself to as easily.
Supplementing with Related Idioms and Phrases (Using Synonyms):
"To guard one's good name": (Similar to protecting one's reputation)
"To keep one's nose clean": (To avoid trouble and maintain a good standing)
"To have a spotless record": (To have an unblemished reputation)
"As good as one's word": (Similar to having a reputation for reliability)
"To get a bad name": (To acquire a poor reputation)
"To wash one's hands of something": (To remove oneself from a disreputable situation).
Original Phrases:
"The currency of reputation": (Treating reputation as a valuable asset)
"A reputation cast in shadow": (Suggesting a damaged or questionable reputation)
"The echo of reputation": (How a reputation lingers and affects future interactions)
While "reputation" itself may not be the centerpiece of many classic idioms, the concept is woven into numerous phrases and expressions that convey its importance in our social interactions.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of reputation from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
