English Explanatory Dictionary

representative

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.
  2. Representing, showing a likeness.
noun
  1. A delegate.
  2. Someone who represents others as a member of a legislative or governing body.
  3. One who speaks for or acts on behalf of another in a particular (especially official) capacity.
  4. An heir.
  5. Specifically, a member of the United States House of Representatives.
  6. A company agent who visits potential purchasers; a salesman.
  7. Something standing for something else.
  8. Something representing or standing for another; a symbol, an embodiment.
  9. A member of a particular class.
  10. Something (especially a living organism) regarded as typical of its class; a type.
  11. A consistent choice of element from an equivalence class, used to identify it.
  12. A substitute or analogue.

Pronunciation

/ˌɹɛpɹɪˈzɛnt(ət)ɪv/ en-us-representative.ogg /reprɛ(ː)zeɳʈeːʈɪv/

Word forms

representative more representative most representative representatives

Etymology

From Middle English representative, from Middle French representatif and its etymon Medieval Latin repraesentātīvus. By surface analysis, represent + -ative; See representation.

Synonyms

rep

Related words

represent Member of Parliament

Derived words

biorepresentative misrepresentative nonrepresentative overrepresentative representative action representative body representative democracy representative element representative fraction representative government representatively representative money representativeness representativity unrepresentative House of Representatives legal representative manufacturer's representative manufacturers representative proxy representative representativeship sales representative
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