What does repute mean?
Repute is a formal word for a person's reputation, character, or public standing, especially when that standing is favorable. It commonly appears in expressions such as "of high repute" and "held in repute," which convey respectability or distinction. The word can also function as a verb: to repute someone to be something means to regard or describe them as having that quality. In contemporary English, "reputation" is usually more neutral and more frequent, while "repute" gives a slightly literary or elevated tone. The noun can imply an established status that has developed over time, rather than merely a momentary opinion. As a verb, it can report what people believe about someone without necessarily endorsing that belief.
A person's reputation, character, or established public standing, especially a favorable one.
"The artist earned considerable repute through her innovative exhibitions."
Formal and literary; especially common in expressions such as "of high repute."
To consider, describe, or hold someone to have a particular reputation or quality.
"Critics generally repute the novel to be the author's strongest work."
Usually used in formal or literary contexts and often followed by "to be."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon; "reputations" is usually used when referring to the general beliefs held about people or things.
"The university's faculties have long enjoyed reputes for scholarly excellence."
Repute is the more formal, elevated cousin of reputation, suggesting a name or standing that has been established over time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repute come from?
Repute comes from Latin reputare, meaning "to reckon, consider, or judge." The word combines the intensive prefix re- with putare, a Latin verb meaning "to reckon, value, or consider," which also underlies words such as compute, impute, and putative. Repute entered English during the 16th century, initially as a verb meaning to consider or reckon, and later developed the noun sense of established character or standing.
Related word forms
How repute is actually used
The noun is formal and somewhat literary, especially in phrases such as "of high repute." The verb is less common in modern English but remains idiomatic in formal and journalistic writing.
Easily confused with repute
Reputation is the general opinion or character associated with a person or thing, while repute more often means an established or distinguished standing, frequently in a formal context.