reputation
B2Formal to neutral. Common in all registers including business, academic, and general discourse.
Definition
Meaning
The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something's character, qualities, or standing.
The general estimation in which a person or thing is held by the public; the overall character or perceived quality of an institution, place, or product as judged by people in general. Can also refer to a widespread recognition for a specific trait or achievement.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a countable noun, but can be uncountable when referring to the abstract concept. Implies a collective, public judgment formed over time. It can be positive, negative, or mixed. It is something that can be built, earned, lost, damaged, or restored.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The word is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Slight nuance: In British English, 'reputation' in contexts like 'a woman of reputation' can carry a slightly more old-fashioned, formal tone related to social standing. In American business contexts, it is heavily used in branding and corporate identity discourse.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties. Corpus data shows near-identical usage rates.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have a reputation for + noun/gerund (He has a reputation for punctuality.)have a reputation as + noun (She has a reputation as a tough negotiator.)gain/earn/build a reputation + prepositional phrase (They built a reputation through hard work.)It is + adjective + reputation that... (It is her firm reputation that secured the deal.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “by reputation alone”
- “reputation precedes someone”
- “put one's reputation on the line”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Crucial in corporate branding, public relations, and trust. 'The company's reputation for quality allows it to charge premium prices.'
Academic
Used regarding scholars, institutions, and research. 'The university has an international reputation in the field of physics.'
Everyday
Common in social contexts. 'He has a reputation in the neighbourhood for being very helpful.'
Technical
Less common, but used in fields like cybersecurity (reputation of an IP address) or online systems (seller reputation on platforms).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He is reputed to have been the finest cricketer of his generation.
- The area is reputed for its ghost sightings.
American English
- She is reputed to be one of the wealthiest investors in Silicon Valley.
- The spring is reputed to have healing properties.
adverb
British English
- He is reputedly worth over a billion pounds.
- The house is reputedly haunted.
American English
- The drug is reputedly effective, but not FDA-approved.
- She is reputedly very difficult to work with.
adjective
British English
- The reputational damage from the scandal was immense.
- They hired a reputational risk consultant.
American English
- The company faced a reputational crisis.
- Reputational capital is a key asset.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She has a good reputation at school.
- The hotel has a bad reputation.
- Our company is building a reputation for reliable customer service.
- He risked his reputation by supporting the unpopular policy.
- The scandal irrevocably damaged the institute's hitherto impeccable reputation.
- Her reputation as a meticulous researcher precedes her.
- The firm's reputation for innovative design is so entrenched that it commands a significant market premium.
- Politicians often find their personal reputations sacrificed on the altar of party loyalty.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of REPUTATION as the PUBLIC OPINATION about you. It's what people REPEAT about you, forming your public 'report'.
Conceptual Metaphor
REPUTATION IS A VALUABLE OBJECT (build, earn, possess, lose, damage, restore). REPUTATION IS A FRAGILE THING (tarnish, stain, besmirch). REPUTATION IS A PHYSICAL STRUCTURE (foundation, cornerstone, underpin).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'репутация' in all contexts where Russian uses it. English 'reputation' is less often used for a person's immediate 'mood' or 'temper' (e.g., 'У него сегодня репутация' is not 'He has a reputation today' but 'He is in a bad mood today').
- The English phrase 'of reputation' (e.g., 'a man of reputation') is formal/archaic and less common than просто 'a man with a good reputation'.
- The Russian construction 'сохранять репутацию' often maps better to 'maintain one's image' or 'protect one's good name' in less formal English contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect article: 'He has reputation for...' (correct: 'He has a reputation for...').
- Confusing with 'fame'. Fame is about being widely known; reputation is about the quality of what one is known for. One can have a terrible reputation without being famous.
- Misspelling: 'repitation' or 'reputition'.
- Using as a verb (to repute). The correct verb is 'to repute' only in rare, passive constructions like 'He is reputed to be...'. The active concept is 'to consider' or 'to regard'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'reputation' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While commonly used for people, it applies equally to companies, institutions, brands, places, and even products (e.g., 'This model has a reputation for durability').
Character refers to a person's actual moral and ethical qualities. Reputation is how those qualities are perceived by others. They can align or differ significantly ('a person of good character but a bad reputation').
Not commonly in active voice. The adjective 'reputed' and adverb 'reputedly' are used. The rare passive verb form 'to be reputed to be/do something' means 'to be generally said or believed to be/do something'.
Yes, it means 'based on what one has heard about someone/something, not from direct experience'. Example: 'I know him only by reputation.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Personality Traits
B1 · 36 words · Describing character and personal qualities.