Reputation is the widespread belief or opinion about someone or something, formed over time from past actions and performances. It encompasses how others perceive trustworthiness, competence, and character, often influencing decisions and social standing. The term emphasizes collective judgment rather than any single instance of behavior.
US: rhoticity means the 'r' is pronounced, and the initial /r/ is a strong onset. UK/AU: often less pronounced rhoticity or a gliding /r/; the middle /pj/ can be slightly more centralized; vowel qualities in /ɛ/ vs /e/ can shift. In all, maintain stress on the third syllable; keep the final /n̩/ clear. IPA references: US /ˌrɛpjʊˈteɪʃn̩/, UK /ˌrep.jəˈteɪ.ʃən/, AU /ˌrep.jəˈteɪ.ʃən/.
"Her reputation for integrity helped her win the negotiating ally's trust."
"The university must protect its reputation by maintaining high academic standards."
"A celebrity's reputation can be damaged by a single controversial statement."
"Locals value the town's reputation for hospitality and safety."
Reputation comes from Middle English reputacion, from Old French reputacion, from Latin reputatio, from reputare 'to think over, consider, reckon,' from re- 'again' + putare 'to prune, settle an account, think.' The root putare is tied to the idea of reckoning or judging, yielding meanings around opinion and consideration. In Latin, reputatio carried the sense of esteem or estimation, often in a social or moral context. Through Old French influence in the medieval period, reputation shifted toward a more specific sense of public opinion about a person’s character or merit. By the 15th century, English adopted reputation to denote the general estimation in which a person is held, based on past actions and social conduct. Over time, the concept broadened to include institutions and brands, not just individuals, as global commerce and media amplified public perception. The word preserved its core sense of communal judgment—how others appraise reliability, integrity, and value—while expanding to encompass modern sensitivities around public personas, corporate branding, and digital reputations. First known written appearance in English can be traced to late medieval texts where reputation described communal opinion anchored in observed conduct.
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Words that rhyme with "Reputation"
-ion sounds
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Pronunciation: /ˌrɛpjʊˈteɪʃn̩/ (US) or /ˌrep.jəˈteɪ.ʃən/ (UK). Place primary stress on the third syllable: re-pyu-TA-tion. The first syllable is unstressed with a light 're' or 'rep' onset, the middle is a short 'ju' or 'yuh' sound, and the final syllable ends with a light schwa plus n. In careful speech, the 'ti' becomes /tʃ/ in some accents, but standard is /t eɪ ʃ n̩/.
Common errors: 1) stressing the wrong syllable (putting stress on 're' or 'pu' instead of 'ta' or misplacing stress); 2) merging the /pj/ into a vague 'pyu' or saying 'rep-oo-tee-shun' instead of 'rep-yoo-TEI-shən'. Correction: clearly separate the /pju/ sequence as /pjʊ/ or /pjə/ before the /teɪ/; keep the /tʃ/ in some accents as a light /tʃ/ onset if applicable, and ensure the final syllable is /n̩/ with a light, syllabic n.
US: /ˌrɛpjʊˈteɪʃn̩/, with rhoticity (the 'r' is pronounced). UK: /ˌrep.jəˈteɪ.ʃən/ with non-rhotic tendencies in some speakers; vowel quality shifts—short 'e' as in 'dress' or 'trap' can differ. AU: similar to UK but with slight vowel length and a more clipped British-like rhythm in many regions. Focus on the /ɪ/ vs /iː/ variations in the first syllable and the vowel in the second part; the stress remains on the third syllable.
Two challenging aspects: the unstressed first syllable often reduces ('re' to a schwa or a quick 'ruh'), and the multi-syllabic sequence /pjʊˈteɪ/ can blur if spoken quickly. The middle 'pyu' cluster may be unfamiliar for some learners; practice the transition from /pj/ to /t/ without inserting extra vowels. Also, the final syllable /ʃn̩/ or /tʃən/ can feel unintuitive due to the subtle blend between the /t/ or /ʃ/ onset and the syllabic n.
The crucial feature is the secondary syllable cluster /pjʊ/ after the initial /r/. Many learners mispronounce this as /rɪ-/ or /ri-/; keep the /pj/ together with a light 'yoo' sound before the /teɪ/. Also ensure the second half carries the /ˈteɪʃən/ or /t̬eɪ.ʃən/ depending on accent, with a clear distinction between the 'tay' and the 'tion' ending.
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