# rep

/ˈɹɛp/ (US) · /ɹˈɛp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rep
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a representative

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a person who represents a company or group, especially a salesperson.

For teachers: a clipping of 'representative', typically referring to a sales agent or a union official.

- If you have a problem with your contract, you should talk to your union rep.
- The pharmaceutical rep spent the morning visiting local clinics to demonstrate the benefits of the new respiratory medication.

### 2. reputation

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

the opinion that people have about someone or something.

For teachers: a clipping of 'reputation', referring to the character or status attributed to a person or entity by the public.

- That restaurant has a bad rep for slow service, so let's go somewhere else.
- In the competitive world of tech startups, a founder's rep can be the deciding factor in securing venture capital.

### 3. exercise movement

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

one single completion of an exercise, like lifting a weight once.

For teachers: a clipping of 'repetition', denoting a single complete execution of a specific exercise movement.

- He managed to do ten reps of the bench press before he got tired.
- The trainer emphasized that performing fewer reps with perfect form is more effective than high volume with poor technique.

### 4. theatre style

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Technical

a type of theatre where a company performs several different plays in one season.

For teachers: a clipping of 'repertory', referring to a system of play production where a resident company performs a variety of works in rotation.

- She spent her first year as an actress working in local rep.
- The transition from rep theatre to television acting requires a significant adjustment in vocal projection and physical scale.

### 5. political party member

noun · CEFR B2 · American English · Informal

a member of the Republican Party in the United States.

For teachers: a clipping of 'Republican', used as a title or a descriptor for a member of the Republican Party.

- The local Rep spoke at the town hall meeting about the new tax laws.
- Political analysts noted that the incumbent Rep faced a surprisingly tough primary challenge from the right wing of the party.

### 6. to represent

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

to act as a representative for a brand, team, or place.

For teachers: to act as a representative or to display one's affiliation with a specific group or brand.

- He was proud to rep his hometown during the national competition.
- The athlete signed a lucrative deal to rep the sportswear brand across all his social media platforms.

## Examples

- The sales rep is coming to the office today.
- He has a rep for being the toughest coach in the league, but his players respect him.
- Maintaining a solid rep in this industry requires more than just talent; it demands a consistent track record of meeting deadlines and managing client expectations effectively.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.