Representative: meaning, definitions and examples

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representative

[ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntətɪv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in politics

A person chosen or appointed to act or speak for others; a member of a legislative body.

Synonyms

ambassador, delegate, spokesperson.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
representative	Used in general contexts to describe someone who acts on behalf of a group, company, or organization. It can be formal or informal. She is a representative of our company. A representative from the student council will attend the meeting.
delegate	Used in formal contexts to describe someone who is officially chosen to represent a group at a meeting or conference. They sent a delegate to the international conference. The delegates will vote on the proposal at tomorrow's meeting.
spokesperson	Used for someone who speaks on behalf of an organization or group, often to the media or public. It implies a role of communication and public relations. The company's spokesperson will handle all media inquiries. A spokesperson for the government made the announcement.
ambassador	Used in diplomatic or very formal contexts to describe someone who represents a country, organization, or cause, often at an international level. He was appointed as the ambassador to France. She serves as the environmental ambassador for the United Nations.

Examples of usage

The representative of the company attended the meeting on behalf of the CEO.
She was elected as the representative of her district in the parliament.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

typical

Typical of a class, group, or body of opinion.

Synonyms

characteristic, exemplary, typical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
representative	Used to describe someone or something that serves as an example or symbol for a group, idea, or class. Often applied in formal and official contexts. She is the representative of our company at the conference. That image is a representative of contemporary art.
typical	Describes something that is usual or common for a particular person, place, or thing. Often neutral and used in daily conversations. It's typical for him to arrive late. Rainy weather is typical for this region.
characteristic	Describes a feature or quality that is typical to a person, place, or thing, highlighting what is unique or distinctive about them. Kindness is a characteristic of his personality. The taste of the dish is characteristic of Italian cuisine.
exemplary	Used when talking about someone or something that is so good it can be used as an example to follow; typically has a positive connotation. Her behavior during the crisis was exemplary. He is an exemplary student, always achieving top grades.

Examples of usage

Her behavior was not representative of the company's values.
This sample is not representative of the population as a whole.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'repraesentare,' meaning 'to present again' or 'to exhibit' something.
French adopted the word as 'représentatif,' which influenced the modern English version.
The use of the word dates back to the 15th century, reflecting the importance of speaking for others in governance and society.

Political Science

In democracies, representatives are elected to voice the concerns of their constituents in legislative bodies.
The concept of representation is foundational to political systems, highlighting the relationship between citizens and their government.
There are different types of representation, including descriptive (reflecting constituents' characteristics) and substantive (advocating for constituents' interests).

Literature

In storytelling, a character can be a representative of a particular social group or idea, reflecting broader themes and issues.
Authors often use representative characters to highlight societal norms and challenge stereotypes in their works.
Literature can showcase how representations influence perceptions of different communities or cultures.

Psychology

The concept of representation is crucial in cognitive psychology, where mental representations help us understand and interact with the world.
Representatives of a group can shape group identity and influence personal beliefs about that group by their actions.
Research shows that seeing diverse representatives in media can enhance empathy and understanding of different cultures.

Pop Culture

In movies and television, characters often serve as representatives of particular demographics or viewpoints, sparking discussions on diversity and inclusion.
The rise of social media has allowed individuals to become representatives for causes, sharing experiences and advocating for change.
Reality TV often blurs the lines of representation, where participants symbolize broader societal issues through their actions.

Translations

Translations of the word "representative" in other languages:

🇵🇹 representante

🇮🇳 प्रतिनिधि

🇩🇪 Vertreter

🇮🇩 perwakilan

🇺🇦 представник

🇵🇱 przedstawiciel

🇯🇵 代表者 (daihyou-sha)

🇫🇷 représentant

🇪🇸 representante

🇹🇷 temsilci

🇰🇷 대표자 (daepyoja)

🇸🇦 ممثل (mumathil)

🇨🇿 zástupce

🇸🇰 zástupca

🇨🇳 代表 (dàibiǎo)

🇸🇮 predstavnik

🇮🇸 fulltrúi

🇰🇿 өкіл

🇬🇪 წარმომადგენელი (tsarmomadgeneli)

🇦🇿 nümayəndə

🇲🇽 representante

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,501, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.

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1498 traffic
1499 waste
1500 detailed
1501 representative
1502 improved
1503 solid
1504 apparently
...