What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
represent
Example
The lawyer will represent the defendant in court. [represent: verb]
Example
The painting represents a beautiful sunset over the ocean. [represents: verb]
embody
Example
The statue embodies the strength and resilience of the city. [embodies: verb]
Example
The athlete embodies the spirit of determination and hard work. [embodies: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Represent is more commonly used than embody in everyday language. Represent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while embody is more specific and often used in relation to a particular person, object, or idea.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between represent and embody?
Represent is often used in legal, political, or formal contexts, making it more formal than embody, which is more commonly used in artistic, literary, or figurative contexts and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
