Repute means reputation or the opinion that people have formed about someone or something based on past actions or qualities. When a doctor has a good repute, patients trust her because of her known skill and care. A restaurant of high repute is one people respect for its excellent food and service.

The word often appears in phrases like of good repute or of ill repute. A scientist of international repute has earned respect from experts around the world. A business of ill repute has developed a bad reputation, perhaps for treating customers poorly or selling shoddy products.

Repute is closely related to the word reputation, but repute tends to sound more formal and often focuses on whether that reputation is positive or negative. While you might say “she has a reputation for being funny,” you'd more likely say “she is a teacher of high repute” when emphasizing the respect she's earned.

Your own repute develops through consistent actions over time. A student who always helps classmates, works hard, and treats others fairly builds a good repute that follows them.