Reputable is an adjective describing someone or something respected and trusted because of a history of good character or dependable behavior. It implies standing in the community or field and a perception of reliability. In everyday usage, it signals credibility without asserting superiority. The word often appears in evaluative contexts like business, journalism, or personal recommendations.
"The charity has a reputable track record of helping communities in need."
"She chose the reputable accountant to review the company's financial statements."
"Among the many candidates, he presented himself as a reputable, thoughtful lawyer."
"Before you invest, read reviews from reputable sources to avoid scams."
Reputable comes from the verb reputate, from Latin reputare meaning to reckon, think over, or consider. The Latin root reput- derives from re- (again) and putare (to think, prune or reckon). The English noun reputation existed by the 13th century, with adjective form reputable attested by the 15th century, evolving from the sense of having a weighty, established opinion attached to one’s name. Over time, reputable shifted from indicating a widely held belief or opinion about a person’s character to the modern sense of being widely considered trustworthy or credible. The word’s development tracks the broader social value placed on trust, authority, and social standing, especially in professional and public contexts. First known use in English aligns with early humanist and legal writings, reflecting the growing emphasis on credibility in public life.
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Words that rhyme with "Reputable"
-es) sounds
-me) sounds
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Pronounced ri-PYOO-tuh-bəl in US English, with the primary stress on the second syllable. In IPA: US: /rɪˈpjuːtəbl/; UK: /rɪˈpjuːtəbl/; AU: /riˈpjuːtəbl/. The sequence re- sounds like ri, the second syllable centers on /pjuː/ (the 'pyoo' cluster), then a light schwa and final /bl/ cluster. Mouth position guiding tips: start with a relaxed /r/, then lift the middle of the tongue high for /pjʊ/; keep the lips rounded for /juː/; finish with a light /t/ and a syllabic or non-syllabic /l/. Audio reference: try hearing it as ri-PYOO-tə-bəl and match the intonation patterns of surrounding adjectives in sentences.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (re-PU-ta-ble vs. ri-PYOO-tə-ble) and misarticulating the /pj/ sequence, producing either a plain /pu/ or a delayed /juː/ sound. Some learners insert an extra vowel after /t/ or drop the vowel before the final /bl/. Correction tips: keep the strong secondary stress on the second syllable, articulate /pj/ as a tight consonant blend (/pj/ with the tongue touching the hard palate), and end with a clear /təbl/ rather than a vague /təl/; finally practice fluid linking to avoid a clipped ending.
Across US/UK/AU, the core vowel sounds stay close, but rhoticity and vowel quality shift subtly. US often shows a more pronounced /ɪ/ in the first syllable and a stronger /ˈjuː/ in the second, yielding /ˌɪnˈpjuːtəbl/? Actually standard is /ˌrɪˈpjuːtəbl/. UK tends to a slightly crisper /rɪˈpjuːtəbl/ with less vowel reduction in fast speech. Australian accents typically produce a rounded /juː/ with a slightly more centralized /ə/ in the first unstressed vowel. Overall: US/RHotic may sound a touch more 'ri-PYOO-tuh-bəl,' UK slightly tighter and flapped sounds minimized, AU broadening the vowel before final /ə/.
The hardness lies in the /pj/ consonant cluster after the initial syllable and the mid-word secondary stress placement. Learners often misplace stress or merge the /pj/ into /p/ or /ju/ sequences. Tensing the tongue for /pj/ (palatal stop + y-glide) and maintaining a clear /t/ before final /bl/ are key. Practice with minimal pairs focusing on the /pj/ blend and ensure the second syllable bears the strongest emphasis to avoid a flat pronunciation.
The unique angle is the sequence /pj/ after the first syllable and the syllable-timed rhythm that places secondary stress on the second syllable in many forms. It’s not just about saying the letters; it’s about the precise palatalized /pj/ combination and maintaining a steady tempo so the final /bl/ doesn’t sound like /bəl/. Visualize the lips rounding for /juː/ and keep a light, unaspirated /t/ before the final /bl/ for a clean ending.
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