What does "representative" mean?
A delegate.; Someone who represents others as a member of a legislative or governing body.
Representative
/ˌɹɛpɹɪˈzɛnt(ət)ɪv/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Very common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A delegate.; Someone who represents others as a member of a legislative or governing body.
- Grammar: representative is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: example, illustration, spokesperson, acting.
- Useful contrasts: spurious, antitypic, atypical organism.
- Usage evidence: Are your opinions representative of those of the other students?
How to use "representative"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "representative" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "representative" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "representative" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "representative" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "representative" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "example" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "representative", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A delegate.; Someone who represents others as a member of a legislative or governing body.
"She served four terms as representative of her local at the national union convention."
- 2 an item of information that is typical of a class or group wordnet
- 3 A delegate.; One who speaks for or acts on behalf of another in a particular (especially official) capacity.
"I will send a representative to work out the details of the contract."
- 4 a member of the United States House of Representatives wordnet
- 5 A delegate.; An heir.
"This pathetic remonstrance had the desired effect upon his representative, who spared no pains to fulfill the request of the deceased […]."
Show 9 more definitions
- 6 a person who represents others wordnet
- 7 A delegate.; Specifically, a member of the United States House of Representatives. US
"All representatives face re-election every two years."
- 8 an advocate who represents someone else's policy or purpose wordnet
- 9 A delegate.; A company agent who visits potential purchasers; a salesman.
- 10 Something standing for something else.; Something representing or standing for another; a symbol, an embodiment.
"The furniture was the same when she married..[ ]..The only representatives of to-day, were two large and comfortable arm-chairs, and a few elegant-looking trifles, the work of the Misses Granard."
- 11 Something standing for something else.; A member of a particular class.
"The USS Manila Bay, in the next group south of Taffy 3, services aircraft from eleven different squadrons that aren't attached to her own flight group, and, at one point, has representatives from no less than four other carriers' airgroups on her flight deck at the same time."
- 12 Something standing for something else.; A member of a particular class.; Something (especially a living organism) regarded as typical of its class; a type.
- 13 Something standing for something else.; A member of a particular class.; A consistent choice of element from an equivalence class, used to identify it.
- 14 Something standing for something else.; A substitute or analogue.
Adjective
- 1 Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.
"THE POCKET ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF BRITISH STEAM LOCOMOTIVES. By O. S. Nock. Blandford Press. 18s. Mr. Nock, he remarks in his preface, was "incredulous" when the idea of this book of 192 colour gravure illustrations of a representative collection of British steam locomotives from Locomotion to BR's Evening Star was broached to him."
- 2 Representing, showing a likeness.
"Are you sure this paper is representative of your child's writing?"
Adjective
- 1 being or characteristic of government by representation in which citizens exercise power through elected officers and representatives wordnet
- 2 standing for something else wordnet
- 3 serving to represent or typify wordnet
Example
"Are your opinions representative of those of the other students?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "representative"?
Common synonyms include: example, illustration, spokesperson, acting, acting, advocate.
How do you use "representative" in a sentence?
Are your opinions representative of those of the other students?
How do you pronounce "representative"?
Pronounced /ˌɹɛpɹɪˈzɛnt(ət)ɪv/.
Etymology
From Middle English representative, from Middle French representatif and its etymon Medieval Latin repraesentātīvus. By surface analysis, represent + -ative; See representation.