How to pronounce representative
Say it like rep-ruh-ZEN-tuh-tiv. Representative has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZEN).
- rep
- ruh
- ZEN
- tuh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Representative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- repGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ZENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of representative
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: rep-rih-ZEN-tuh-tiv.
What does representative mean?
- a person who represents others
- an advocate who represents someone else's policy or purpose“the meeting was attended by spokespersons for all the major organs of government”
- a member of the United States House of Representatives
- serving to represent or typify“representative moviegoers”“a representative modern play”
- standing for something else“the bald eagle is representative of the United States”
- being or characteristic of government by representation in which citizens exercise power through elected officers and representatives“representative government as defined by Abraham Lincoln is government of the people, by the people, for the people”
Where does representative come from?
From Middle English representative, from Middle French representatif and its etymon Medieval Latin repraesentātīvus.
Words that rhyme with representative
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of representative.
Questions about saying representative
How do you pronounce representative?
Say rep-ruh-ZEN-tuh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌrɛprəˈzɛntətɪv/. In British English it is /ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in representative?
Representative has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZEN). Broken into parts: rep · ruh · ZEN · tuh · tiv.
Is representative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntətɪv/ (rep-rih-ZEN-tuh-tiv).