Reputation vs Status

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Reputation

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 noun

Status

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 noun

	Reputation	Status
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˌrepjuˈteɪʃn/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˌrepjuˈteɪʃn/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈsteɪtəs/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈsteɪtəs//ˈstætəs/"]/
Meaning	What people think about someone or something based on past actions.	A person's or group's situation or position.
Example	Her reputation as a scientist is well deserved.	Her status as the leader of the team was secured after the successful project delivery.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B2	B2
Part of speech	noun	noun
Collocations	considerable, enviable, excellent, enjoy, have, acquire, grow, suffer, depend on something, by reputation, reputation among, reputation with, a loss of reputation, somebody’s reputation precedes them	elite, great, high, enjoy, have, achieve, symbol, status as, status among, status of, change in status, elite, great, high, enjoy, have, achieve, symbol, status as, status among, status of, change in status, elite, great, high, enjoy, have, achieve, symbol, status as, status among, status of, change in status, elite, great, high, enjoy, have, achieve, symbol, status as, status among, status of, change in status
Antonyms	disrepute, dishonor, stigma	insignificance, obscurity
Common mistakes	Confused with 'character' — reputation is about how others see you, not just who you are., Used incorrectly as a verb — reputation is a noun., Mixing up 'reputation' with 'fame' — fame often refers to being well known, while reputation relates to the perception of quality.	Confused with 'statues', the plural of a sculpted figure., Using 'status' as a verb instead of a noun., Mispronouncing it as 'stah-tus' instead of 'sta-tus'.
Usage notes	Used in both formal and informal contexts to discuss how someone is viewed by others. Avoid using in casual conversations unless discussing someone's character or public image.	Often used in both formal and casual contexts. Be cautious in professional settings to maintain clarity about the specific type of status being referenced, such as social status, legal status, etc.

See it in real clips

You have lived up to your reputation, Mr. Cobb.

Whatever chance you gave us at fixing our city dies with Harvey's reputation.

You have lived up to your reputation, Mr. Cobb.

Whatever chance you gave us at fixing our city dies with Harvey's reputation.

Reputation

with people looking at all the statues and monuments,

Sherlock › S1 E1

Sorry, sir - whose status?

The Pitt › S1 E1

No, it could cloud her mental status.

with people looking at all the statues and monuments,

Sherlock › S1 E1

Sorry, sir - whose status?

Status

Frequently asked questions: Reputation vs Status

What's the difference between Reputation and Status?

Reputation: What people think about someone or something based on past actions. Status: A person's or group's situation or position.

Are Reputation and Status the same CEFR level?

Reputation: B2, Status: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Reputation and Status?

Reputation: noun, Status: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Reputation: Her reputation as a scientist is well deserved. Status: Her status as the leader of the team was secured after the successful project delivery.

Can I use Reputation and Status interchangeably?

Not always. Reputation and Status are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.