repute: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Literary
Quick answer
What does “repute” mean?
The opinion generally held of someone or something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The opinion generally held of someone or something; reputation.
The state of being regarded in a particular way, especially favorably or with distinction; to be generally considered or reported to be something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The noun is equally formal and infrequent in both variants.
Connotations
Slightly archaic or literary in tone for the noun. The passive verb form 'is reputed to be' is the most common contemporary usage in both regions.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but perhaps marginally more persistent in British formal and journalistic prose.
Grammar
How to Use “repute” in a Sentence
[N] of [adj] reputeto be of [adj] repute[sb/sth] is reputed to [infinitive]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “repute” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The hotel is widely reputed to be haunted.
- He was reputed to have made his fortune in commodities.
American English
- The restaurant is reputed to have the best steak in the city.
- She is reputed to be one of the toughest judges on the circuit.
adverb
British English
- This word is rarely, if ever, used as an adverb.
- No standard adverbial form exists.
American English
- This word is rarely, if ever, used as an adverb.
- No standard adverbial form exists.
adjective
British English
- He is the reputed author of the anonymous blog.
- They met at his reputed flat in Mayfair.
American English
- The reputed head of the syndicate was arrested.
- She paid the price to the reputed owner.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in formal contexts to describe a company's standing: 'a firm of the highest repute'.
Academic
Appears in historical or literary texts; used to describe a scholar's standing: 'a scholar of international repute'.
Everyday
Rare in casual speech. The adjective 'reputed' is more likely: 'the reputed owner'.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “repute”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “repute”
- Using it as a countable noun (*'He has a good repute'). Use 'reputation'.
- Using the active verb form incorrectly (*'I repute him as honest'). Use 'consider' or 'regard'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered formal and somewhat literary. The noun 'reputation' and the adjective 'reputed' are far more common in everyday and professional language.
They are synonyms, but 'repute' is uncountable and more formal, often used in set phrases like 'of good repute'. 'Reputation' is countable and standard for all contexts.
It is almost exclusively used in the passive voice: 'be reputed to be/do/have'. An active use (e.g., 'I repute him honest') is archaic and incorrect in modern English.
It means 'according to what people say' or 'by reputation alone', indicating knowledge based on general opinion rather than direct experience. E.g., 'I know the professor by repute but have never met him.'
The opinion generally held of someone or something.
Repute is usually formal / literary in register.
Repute: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈpjuːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈpjuːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “by repute (known by reputation rather than direct experience)”
- “a house of ill repute (euphemism for a brothel)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PUBLIC statue (re-PUTE). The statue represents the PUBLIC OPINION or REPUTATION of the person it depicts.
Conceptual Metaphor
REPUTATION IS A VALUABLE OBJECT (to have, to hold, to lose, to damage).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'repute' CORRECTLY?