disreputation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ObsoleteFormal / Archaic
Quick answer
What does “disreputation” mean?
The state of having a bad reputation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of having a bad reputation; discredit; dishonour.
The loss or absence of a good reputation, leading to diminished standing or esteem in a community or field.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant contemporary difference; the word is equally obsolete in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries a formal, almost legalistic or historical weight when encountered.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern corpora of both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “disreputation” in a Sentence
The disreputation of [NP]To bring [NP] into disreputationTo be in/under disreputationVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business language.
Academic
May appear in historical or literary studies discussing texts from the 16th-18th centuries.
Everyday
Never used in contemporary everyday conversation.
Technical
Not used in any technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disreputation”
- Using it in modern contexts where 'disrepute' is correct.
- Confusing it with 'disreputable' (adjective).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic and has been almost entirely replaced by 'disrepute'.
Only if you are directly quoting a historical source or analysing historical language. In all other cases, use 'disrepute'.
'Disreputation' is a noun meaning a state of having a bad reputation. 'Disreputable' is an adjective describing someone or something that has a bad reputation.
No, there is no direct verb. The related process is described by phrases like 'to bring into disrepute/disreputation' or the verb 'to discredit'.
The state of having a bad reputation.
Disreputation is usually formal / archaic in register.
Disreputation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪsˌrɛpjʊˈteɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪsˌrɛpjəˈteɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No common modern idioms. Historical phrase: 'to be in disreputation')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIS (negative) + REPUTATION = the opposite of a good reputation.
Conceptual Metaphor
REPUTATION IS A VALUABLE OBJECT; DISREPUTATION IS THE LOSS OR STAINING OF THAT OBJECT.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest modern synonym for 'disreputation'?