What does reputed mean?
Reputed is an adjective meaning believed, thought, or regarded in a particular way, especially when the belief has not been conclusively proved. It is commonly used before a description, often with "to be": a person may be reputed to be wealthy, talented, dangerous, or eccentric. The word frequently appears in expressions such as "reputed thief," "reputed expert," and "widely reputed," where it can indicate either a widespread belief or an established public image. Reputed is especially common in formal writing and historical, literary, or journalistic contexts, and it often carries a slightly cautious or skeptical undertone. Although it sometimes describes a favourable reputation, as in "reputed for honesty," it can just as easily label someone regarded with suspicion. The word is therefore useful when describing how people believe or perceive something without asserting that the underlying claim is true.
Believed or regarded by others, often without proof; having a specified reputation.
"The house is reputed to have been built in the eighteenth century."
Often followed by "to be" or used with "for": "reputed to be reliable"; "reputed for its hospitality."
To consider or regard someone or something as being a particular thing; to deem.
"The critics reputed the painting to be the finest in the collection."
This is a formal or literary use, chiefly in the third-person singular form "reputes" and the past form "reputed."
Reputed describes what people believe, not necessarily what the evidence shows.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reputed come from?
Reputed comes through Middle English from the Old French reputer, a verb derived from Latin reputare, meaning "to reckon, calculate, or consider." The Latin verb combined re-, meaning "again," with putare, meaning "to reckon." In English it developed the sense of "to consider or regard as," from which the adjective reputed and the related noun reputation emerged.
Related word forms
How reputed is actually used
Reputed commonly introduces a claim that is plausible but unverified, especially with "to be" or "as": "reputed to be wealthy." It can sound formal and occasionally imply doubt, although in phrases such as "a reputed expert" it may simply refer to a person's established reputation.
Easily confused with reputed
Reputed means believed or regarded in a particular way, often without proof, whereas disreputed means having a bad reputation.
Reputed describes what is generally believed or asserted, while reported often means what has been communicated or described by someone.