representative
Speaks for others
Representative describes something that stands for or typifies a larger whole.
A representative sample captures the characteristics of a population.
A representative government acts on behalf of citizens.
As a noun, a representative is a person who speaks or acts for others—a sales representative, a union representative, a member of Congress.
The survey wasn't representative of actual voter opinions.
She served as the company's representative at the conference.
Official foreign representative
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
- diplomatOfficial foreign representative
- emissaryAgent sent abroad
- consulDiplomat in foreign city
attaché · plenipotentiary · chargé d'affaires · liaison · negotiator · intermediary · mediator · go-between
House of Representatives member
- congresswomanFemale federal legislator
- senatorUpper chamber member
- parliamentarianRules of order specialist
- assemblymanState legislature member
assemblywoman · legislator · councilor · alderman · delegate · elected · constituent · district
Typical perfect instance
- archetypeOriginal model for copies
- paradigmGoverning framework of thought
- epitomePerfect representative of type
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
specimen · instance · sample · case · illustration · model · benchmark · standard
Distinguishing quality or trait
- indicativeServing as a sign
- illustrativeServing to explain
- exemplaryServing as ideal model
- averageArithmetic mean or ordinary
normal · standard · conventional · commonplace · ordinary · typical · archetypal · quintessential
ambassador
Official foreign representative
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
- diplomatOfficial foreign representative
- emissaryAgent sent abroad
consul · attaché · plenipotentiary · chargé d'affaires · liaison · negotiator · intermediary · mediator · go-between · proxy
congressman
House of Representatives member
- congresswomanFemale federal legislator
- senatorUpper chamber member
- parliamentarianRules of order specialist
assemblyman · assemblywoman · legislator · councilor · alderman · delegate · elected · constituent · district · caucus
exemplar
Typical perfect instance
- archetypeOriginal model for copies
- paradigmGoverning framework of thought
- epitomePerfect representative of type
prototype · specimen · instance · sample · case · illustration · model · benchmark · standard · criterion
characteristic
Distinguishing quality or trait
- indicativeServing as a sign
- illustrativeServing to explain
- exemplaryServing as ideal model
average · normal · standard · conventional · commonplace · ordinary · typical · archetypal · quintessential · stereotypical
emblem
Representational sign or device
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- totemSpiritual clan symbol
- figureheadNominal leader, no authority
mascot · flag · insignia · badge · crest · seal · logo · hallmark · avatar · personification
- civicsballot, election, ballots, Bill of Rights, branches of government
- civic rolesvoter, citizen, taxpayer, constituent, candidate
- community leadersheadwoman, civic leader, community organizer, headman, council member
- job titlesCEO, CTO, CFO, CMO, cook
- officialsofficial, officials, bailiff, bureaucrat, congressman
- political figurespolitician, president, presidents, vice president, vice presidents
representativeatypical
Not conforming to type
unrepresentative · nonrepresentative · untypical · aberrant · anomalous
- democratic representationElected officials serving constituents
- House of RepresentativesPopulation-based legislative chamber
- representative governmentRule by elected officials
- equal representationBalanced voice in governance
- legal representationAttorney acting on behalf
- elected representativesChosen holders of public office
representation, representatives, misrepresentation, representational, representations, unrepresentative, representativeness, misrepresentations, representatively