represent Definition
- 1to act or speak officially for someone or something
- 2to be a sign or symbol of something
- 3to describe or show something in a particular way, especially in art or literature
Using represent: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "represent" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The lawyer will represent the defendant in court.
Example
The eagle represents strength and freedom in American culture.
Example
The painting represents a beautiful sunset over the ocean.
Example
The graph represents the data accurately.
represent Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using represent
Example
The recent outbreak of violence is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the underlying social issues.
to be a perfect example of the best/worst qualities of something
Example
This dish represents the best of Italian cuisine.
Example
The new policy represents a departure from the previous administration's approach.
Phrases with represent
to describe or portray someone or something in a particular way, often inaccurately or unfairly
Example
The media often represents politicians as corrupt and dishonest.
Example
The defendant chose to represent himself in court.
represent a challenge/opportunity
to pose a challenge/opportunity or be seen as one
Example
The new project represents a great opportunity for the company to expand its business.
Origins of represent
from Old French 'représenter', from Latin 'repraesentare', from 're-' meaning 'again' + 'praesentare' meaning 'to present'
Summary: represent in Brief
To 'represent' [ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt] is to act or speak officially for someone or something, to be a sign or symbol of something, or to describe or show something in a particular way. It can refer to legal representation, cultural symbolism, or artistic depiction, as in 'The painting represents a beautiful sunset over the ocean.' 'Represent' also appears in idioms like 'represent the tip of the iceberg,' indicating a small visible part of a larger problem.