Character vs. Reputation — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 21, 2023
Character refers to the inherent qualities and moral attributes that define an individual, while reputation is how those qualities are perceived by others. In short, character is who you are, and reputation is how you're seen.
Difference Between Character and Reputation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Character pertains to the moral and ethical qualities that make up an individual, including virtues like honesty, integrity, and compassion. These qualities are generally considered innate or developed over a long period through personal growth and decision-making. Reputation, on the other hand, is an external perception of one's character formed by communities or the public based on one's actions and history.
Both character and reputation play significant roles in how an individual navigates social and professional landscapes. However, character is something one has control over; it's a part of your core self that you can cultivate. Reputation, in contrast, is often out of one's hands; it's formed by the collective opinions of others and can be easily affected by misinformation or perception.
Character is generally considered to be more enduring and stable over time. It forms the bedrock of a person's identity. Reputation, however, can be volatile, subject to change based on public opinion and circumstances. One poor decision can tarnish a reputation, but may not necessarily reflect the deeper character of the individual.
In summary, while both character and reputation have overlapping domains as they relate to individual identity and social perception, they differ in their origin and stability. Character is an internal set of attributes, deeply ingrained and slow to change, while reputation is external, more easily altered and influenced by public opinion.
Comparison Chart
Origin
Internal, inherent qualities
External, public perception
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Stability
Generally stable
Can be volatile
Control
Individual has control
Often out of individual's control
Subject to Change
Slow to change
Quick to change
Affected by
Personal choices, ethical standards
Public opinion, others' perceptions
Compare with Definitions
Character
A component of one's identity.
Character shapes the kind of person you become.
Reputation
Collective opinion about someone.
Her reputation for kindness made her well-liked.
Character
Virtues developed over time.
He built his character through years of hard work and ethical decisions.
Reputation
Public image or standing.
The company maintained a reputation for excellent customer service.
Character
The combination of mental characteristics and behavior that distinguishes a person or group.
Reputation
Social currency often out of one's control.
Despite her good intentions, her reputation suffered due to rumors.
Character
The distinguishing nature of something.
Reputation
Result of one's past actions.
His reputation was tarnished due to a financial scandal.
Character
Moral strength; integrity
An educational program designed to develop character.
Reputation
How one is perceived by others.
His reputation as a reliable worker preceded him.
Character
Public estimation of someone; reputation
Personal attacks that damaged her character.
Reputation
The reputation of a social entity (a person, a social group, an organization, or a place) is an opinion about that entity typically as a result of social evaluation on a set of criteria, such as behaviour or performance.Reputation is a ubiquitous, spontaneous, and highly efficient mechanism of social control in natural societies. It is a subject of study in social, management, and technological sciences.
Character
(Biology) A structure, function, or attribute of an organism, influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
Reputation
The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something
His reputation was tarnished by allegations of bribery
Character
A person considered as having a specific quality or attribute
"Being a man of the world and a public character, [he] took everything as a matter of course" (George Eliot).
Reputation
The general opinion or judgment of the public about a person or thing
A senator with a tarnished reputation.
A restaurant with a good reputation.
Character
A person considered funny or eccentric
Catcalls from some character in the back row.
Reputation
The state or situation of being held in high esteem
Feared damage to his reputation.
Character
A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel.
Reputation
A widespread ascription of a characteristic or trait to a person or thing
A sales clerk who has a reputation for courtesy.
A columnist with the reputation of being acerbic.
Character
A person or animal portrayed with a personality in comics or animation
A cartoon character.
Reputation
What somebody is known for.
Character
Characterization in fiction or drama
A script that is weak in plot but strong in character.
Reputation
The estimation in which one is held; character in public opinion; the character attributed to a person, thing, or action; repute.
The best evidence of reputation is a man's whole life.
Character
Status or role; capacity
In his character as the father.
Reputation
The character imputed to a person in the community in which he lives. It is admissible in evidence when he puts his character in issue, or when such reputation is otherwise part of the issue of a case.
Character
A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.
Reputation
Specifically: Good reputation; favorable regard; public esteem; general credit; good name.
I see my reputation is at stake.
The security of his reputation or good name.
Character
A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.
Reputation
Account; value.
[/Christ] made himself of no reputation.
Character
A mark or symbol used in a writing system.
Reputation
The state of being held in high esteem and honor
Character
A Chinese character.
Reputation
Notoriety for some particular characteristic;
His reputation for promiscuity
Character
One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information.
Reputation
The general estimation that the public has for a person;
He acquired a reputation as an actor before he started writing
He was a person of bad report
Character
The numerical code representing such a character.
Character
(Mathematics) The trace function of a representation.
Character
A style of printing or writing
"Here is the hand and seal of the Duke.
You know the character" (Shakespeare).
Character
A cipher or code for secret writing.
Character
Of or relating to one's character.
Character
Specializing in the interpretation of often minor roles that emphasize fixed personality traits or specific physical characteristics
A character actor.
Character
Of or relating to the interpretation of such roles by an actor
The character part of the hero's devoted mother.
Character
Dedicated to the portrayal of a person with regard to distinguishing psychological or physical features
A character sketch.
Character
To write, print, engrave, or inscribe.
Character
To portray or describe; characterize.
Character
(countable) A being involved in the action of a story.
Character
(countable) A distinguishing feature; characteristic; trait; phene.
A single locus governing the petal colour character was detected on the linkage group A2.
Character
A complex of traits marking a person, group, breed, or type.
A study of the suspect's character and his cast iron alibi ruled him out.
Character
(uncountable) Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; moral strength.
He has a great deal of character.
"You may not like to eat liver," said Calvin's father, "but it builds character."
Character
(countable) A unique or extraordinary individual; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits, especially charisma.
Julius Caesar is a great historical character.
That bloke is such a character.
Character
(countable) A written or printed symbol, or letter.
Character
Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the particular form of letters used by a person or people.
An inscription in the Runic character
Character
A secret cipher; a way of writing in code.
Character
One of the basic elements making up a text file or string: a code representing a printing character or a control character.
Character
A person or individual, especially one who is unknown.
We saw a shady character slinking out of the office with some papers.
That old guy is a real character.
Character
A complex number representing an element of a finite Abelian group.
Character
(countable) Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty.
In the miserable character of a slave
In his character as a magistrate
Character
The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation.
A man's character for truth and veracity
Her actions give her a bad character.
Character
A reference given to a servant, attesting to their behaviour, competence, etc.
Character
Personal appearance.
Character
(obsolete) To write (using characters); to describe.
Character
A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol.
It were much to be wished that there were throughout the world but one sort of character for each letter to express it to the eye.
Character
Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the peculiar form of letters used by a particular person or people; as, an inscription in the Runic character.
You know the character to be your brother's?
Character
The peculiar quality, or the sum of qualities, by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others; the stamp impressed by nature, education, or habit; that which a person or thing really is; nature; disposition.
The character or that dominion.
Know well each Ancient's proper character;His fable, subject, scope in every page;Religion, Country, genius of his Age.
A man of . . . thoroughly subservient character.
Character
Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; as, he has a great deal of character.
Character
Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the life; as, a man of character; his character saves him from suspicion.
Character
Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty; as, in the miserable character of a slave; in his character as a magistrate; her character as a daughter.
Character
The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation; as, a man's character for truth and veracity; to give one a bad character.
This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a character of it.
Character
A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc., given to a servant.
Character
A unique or extraordinary individuality; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits; a person who illustrates certain phases of character; as, Randolph was a character; Cæsar is a great historical character.
Character
One of the persons of a drama or novel.
Character
To engrave; to inscribe.
These trees shall be my books.And in their barks my thoughts I 'll character.
Character
To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe; to characterize.
Character
An imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story);
She is the main character in the novel
Character
A characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something;
Each town has a quality all its own
The radical character of our demands
Character
The inherent complex of attributes that determine a persons moral and ethical actions and reactions;
Education has for its object the formation of character
Character
An actor's portrayal of someone in a play;
She played the part of Desdemona
Character
A person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities);
A real character
A strange character
A friendly eccentric
The capable type
A mental case
Character
Good repute;
He is a man of character
Character
A formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability;
Requests for character references are all to often answered evasively
Character
A written symbol that is used to represent speech;
The Greek alphabet has 24 characters
Character
Engrave or inscribe characters on
Character
Moral and ethical qualities of an individual.
Her strong character was evident in her dedication to helping others.
Character
Inherent traits that define a person.
His character is composed of honesty, integrity, and kindness.
Character
Inner strength and integrity.
It takes character to stand up for what's right.
Common Curiosities
Can character change?
While generally stable, character can change over time through personal growth.
How is reputation formed?
Reputation is formed by the collective opinion of others based on your actions and history.
Is character more important than reputation?
The importance varies; character is about who you are, while reputation is about how you are seen.
What is reputation?
Reputation is how those qualities are perceived by the public or a community.
What is character?
Character refers to the inherent moral and ethical qualities of an individual.
How can reputation be improved?
Reputation can be managed or improved through public relations efforts and consistent, positive behavior.
Can reputation be false?
Yes, reputation can be affected by misinformation, thus not reflecting true character.
Is character linked to morality?
Yes, character often involves moral and ethical standards.
Can reputation affect your career?
Yes, a good or bad reputation can have significant professional consequences.
Do actions define your character?
Actions are a reflection of your character but don't entirely define it.
Can a good character fix a bad reputation?
It can, but it often takes time for public opinion to align with one's true character.
Can character be measured?
While difficult to quantify, character is often assessed through actions and ethical choices.
Is reputation always accurate?
Not necessarily; reputation can be influenced by perception and not be an accurate reflection of character.
How long does it take to form a reputation?
It can vary; sometimes a reputation can be formed quickly based on impactful actions or events.
Can one survive without the other?
It's difficult; character without reputation may lack social validation, and reputation without character is often unsustainable.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
