reputable

Reputable is an adjective used to describe something or someone that is widely regarded as trustworthy, reliable, and worthy of respect. A reputable person, organization, or source is generally perceived as having a track record of ethical behavior, quality, or accuracy, which supports confidence in future actions or statements.

Etymology and sense: Reputable derives from Latin reputabilis, through Old French and Middle English, with the core idea of being able to be thought of or reckoned well. The sense emphasizes public opinion and established standards rather than merely personal opinion.

Usage and context: The term is commonly applied to people (a reputable attorney), institutions (a reputable university), products (a reputable brand), and sources of information (a reputable journal). In academia and journalism, describing a source as reputable implies that it adheres to established editorial or methodological standards and can be trusted to be accurate, verifiable, and accountable. It is often used as a comparatively cautious alternative to terms like credible or reliable, though those words can overlap in everyday use.

Limitations: Being labeled reputable does not guarantee perfection or absence of error or misconduct. Reputations can change over time due to new information, scandals, or shifting norms. Therefore, assessments of reputability should consider current evidence, transparency, and track record rather than relying solely on past prestige.

Related terms: credible, trustworthy, respected, established, and, in some contexts, respectable. In evaluating claims, readers are advised to look for corroboration, independent verification, and clear evidence of accountability to assess whether something should be regarded as reputable.