Represent and represent are two words that are spelled identically but are pronounced differently and have different meanings, which makes them heteronyms. We will examine the definitions of the words represent and represent, where these words came from, and a few examples of their use in sentences.
Represent (reh preh ZENT) means to serve as a symbol of something, to stand in for someone else or to be appointed to speak for someone else, to be a typical example of something, or to function as a substitute for something or someone else. The word represent is a transitive verb, which is a verb that takes an object. Related words are represents, represented, representing, representative, representation. The word represent is derived from the Latin word, repraesentare, which means to express or depict.
Represent (REE pree ZENT) means to show, introduce, announce, or award something again. Represent means to present something again. Represent is a transitive verb; related words are represents, represented, representing. The word is derived from the Latin word, praesentare, meaning to show or exhibit, and the prefix, re-, meaning to do again. Often, the word represent is rendered with a hyphen, as in re-present, to avoid confusion.
Examples
Rep. Cynthia Lee Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, was sworn in to represent the Alabama House District 63 on Wednesday. (Tuscaloosa News)
Arundhathi Subramaniam seeks out women who represent the minority in India’s spiritual lineage in her latest book Women Who Wear Only Themselves (Indian Express)
In a release, Island Innovation said the UN High Level Climate Champions had appointed a small group of global leaders, including Moses, who is a Trinidadian, to represent the region. (Trinidad and Tobago Today)
A merchant or collection agency must provide notice to the consumer that they are going to represent the check before the check is received. (ACA International)
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