1
Core meaning
A person chosen or authorized to speak, act, or make decisions on behalf of others.
Example
Each district elects a representative to the council.
representative
/ˌreprɪˈzentətɪv/ · rep-rih-ZEN-tuh-tivnoun
A person chosen or authorized to speak, act, or make decisions on behalf of others.
Use representative to express this relationship precisely: a person chosen or authorized to speak, act, or make decisions on behalf of others.
What representative Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common noun frame
Use this noun in a complete noun phrase, adding the complement that identifies what it refers to when needed.
Example
A union representative attended the negotiations.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact concept matters; a related term may describe its cause, evidence, or opposite instead.
Example
The museum sent a representative to verify the loan agreement.
Use representative Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Each district elects a representative to the council.
A union representative attended the negotiations.
The museum sent a representative to verify the loan agreement.
Precision Matters
Representative overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
representative
vs.Means a person chosen or authorized to speak, act, or make decisions on behalf of others.
beneficiary
Means a person, group, or organisation that receives money, assistance, advantage, or another benefit.
representative
vs.Means a person chosen or authorized to speak, act, or make decisions on behalf of others.
interlocutor
Means a person who takes part in a conversation, dialogue, interview, or formal discussion.
representative
vs.Means a person chosen or authorized to speak, act, or make decisions on behalf of others.
proponent
Means a person who supports a claim or course of action.
representative
vs.Means a person chosen or authorized to speak, act, or make decisions on behalf of others.
detractor
Means a person who criticises or disparages someone, a claim, or a course of action.
Test representative in Context
The person acts and speaks on behalf of the residents.
1
Residents asked their elected ___ to raise the issue at the council meeting.