Learn English words - What does 'reputation' mean?

Here is an interesting word that we often use when describing a person's character.

The word is ‘reputation’.

We often use the word reputation when we want to highlight a person's character or notoriety.

You might say that a person has a good reputation, if they are seen as trustworthy and reliable.

A person of good character has a good reputation.

In this sense, we are using the word positively.

Someone of good character or standing can be described as having a good reputation.

They are reputable.

Perhaps a company that can be trusted to do a good job,

or provide a good service will often be described as reputable.

Something that can be trusted is reputable.

A person who has a very high profile, such as a public figure or a famous person,

must maintain a good reputation so as to keep their fans and remain popular.

Of course, it is possible to have the opposite reputation.

A person who is seen as untrustworthy or of bad character

will most likely be described as having a bad reputation.

That person is seen in a negative way.

They can no longer be described as being ‘good’.

They are now notorious for doing something bad.

They have a bad character.

Perhaps the person who had a good reputation in the past then did something wrong.

Maybe they were involved in a scandal.

Their good name became tarnished.

Their good reputation became a bad reputation.

Someone who was seen as trustworthy is now viewed with doubt and negativity.

We can describe this occurrence as ‘a fall from grace’.

Once they were respected and trusted, but then they had a fall from grace.

and now they have a bad reputation.

They can no longer be trusted.