English Dictionary

Definition of “represent”

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represent (ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntPronunciation for represent) 

Definitions

verb (tr)

  1. to stand as an equivalent of; correspond to  ⇒ our tent represents home to us when we go camping 
  2. to act as a substitute or proxy (for)
  3. to act as or be the authorized delegate or agent for (a person, country, etc)  ⇒ an MP represents his constituency 
  4. to serve or use as a means of expressing  ⇒ letters represent the sounds of speech 
  5. to exhibit the characteristics of; exemplify; typify  ⇒ romanticism in music is represented by Beethoven 
  6. to present an image of through the medium of a picture or sculpture; portray
  7. to bring clearly before the mind
  8. to set forth in words; state or explain
  9. to describe as having a specified character or quality; make out to be  ⇒ he represented her as a saint 
  10. to act out the part of on stage; portray
  11. to perform or produce (a play); stage

Alternative Forms

ˌrepreˈsentable adjective ˌrepreˌsentaˈbility noun

Word Origin

C14: from Latin repraesentāre  to exhibit, from re- + praesentāre to present²

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= act for speak for, appear for speak on behalf of be the representative of
= stand for, substitute for play the part of assume the role of serve as
= play for, appear for be a member of the team
= constitute, be, make, comprise,
= express, equal, correspond to symbolize, equate with mean, betoken,
= exemplify, embody, symbolize, typify, personify, epitomize,
= depict, show, describe, picture, express, illustrate, outline, portray, sketch, render, designate, reproduce, evoke, denote, delineate,
= state, indicate, point out, put forward,
= portray, show, act, produce, stage, perform, put on, exhibit, enact, appear as play the part of assume the role of

re-present (ˌriːprɪˈzɛntPronunciation for re-present) 

Definitions

verb

  1. (tr) to present again

Alternative Forms

re-presentation (ˌriːprɛzənˈteɪʃənPronunciation for re-presentation)  noun

Translations

  • British English: represent Pronunciation for represent If someone represents you, they act on your behalf.We elect politicians to represent us.ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt VERB We elect politicians to represent us.
  • Spanish: representar Pronunciation for representar v
  • French: représenter Pronunciation for représenter vt
  • German: vertreten Pronunciation for vertreten v
  • Chinese: 代表Pronunciation for 代表 v
  • Arabic: يُـمَثِّلُPronunciation for يُـمَثِّلُ v
  • Portuguese: representarPronunciation for representar v
  • Russian: представлятьPronunciation for представлять v
  • Croatian: zastupatiPronunciation for zastupati v
  • Czech: reprezentovatPronunciation for reprezentovat v
  • Danish: repræsenterePronunciation for repræsentere v
  • Dutch: vertegenwoordigenPronunciation for vertegenwoordigen v
  • Finnish: edustaaPronunciation for edustaa v
  • Greek: αντιπροσωπεύωPronunciation for αντιπροσωπεύω v
  • Italian: rappresentarePronunciation for rappresentare v
  • Japanese: 代表するPronunciation for 代表する v
  • Korean: 대표하다Pronunciation for 대표하다 v
  • Norwegian: representerePronunciation for representere v
  • Polish: reprezentowaćPronunciation for reprezentować v
  • Brazilian Portuguese: representarPronunciation for representar v
  • European Spanish: representar Pronunciation for representar v
  • Swedish: företrädaPronunciation for företräda v
  • Thai: เป็นตัวแทนPronunciation for เป็นตัวแทน v
  • Turkish: temsil etmekPronunciation for temsil etmek v
  • Vietnamese: đại diện choPronunciation for đại diện cho v

Usage examples

  • I'm just warning you that I can't represent your clients in court.
    Tapply, William G, A Rodent of Doubt (1987)
  • Moving nightmare However, the monkey is unlikely to represent the primary reservoir of Ebola, where it survives between human outbreaks.
    New Scientist (2003)
  • The results for the year to December 31st, 2001, represent a return on equity of 21 per cent.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • Rangers and Celtic are clearly Scottish clubs and represent Scotland.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • I dreamed about your child, and about what she might grow up to represent.
    Alma Alexander, THE SECRETS OF JIN-SHEI (2004)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'R'

Related Terms

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