noun / adjective

representative

rep-rih-ZEN-tuh-tiv/ˌreprɪˈzentətɪv/

Standing for a wider group.

Our union representative speaks for us during contract negotiations.

Black community representative addresses officials while diverse neighbors stand supportively nearby, no writing.

Etymology

reLatinperhaps adds emphasis

+presentLatinto present, place before

+ativeLatinserving to

From “making present,” with re- perhaps intensive, the adjective first described something serving to portray or symbolize. Applied to a person, it came to name someone who stands in others' place and acts for them.

In context

FairVote42:26

the typical representative if there is such a one in the house um has something like 747 000 constituents

Webinar 2021: The Electoral Reform Imperative to Address Our Polarization Crisis

More examples

The survey includes a representative sample of local residents.
In a representative democracy, voters elect people to govern.
Representatives from each department meet to discuss the budget.

Forms

representative · representatives · more representative · most representative

represent verb — To speak or act for others.

representation noun — The act of speaking or acting for others.

Similar words

delegate: Emphasizes someone selected for a particular meeting or task.
agent: Emphasizes authority to act on another person's behalf.
typical: Describes shared group characteristics, not authority to act for others.