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rep

1

or repp

[ rep ]
/ rɛp /
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noun
a transversely corded fabric of wool, silk, rayon, or cotton.
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Origin of rep

1
First recorded in 1855–60; from French reps, perhaps from English ribs; see rib1

OTHER WORDS FROM rep

repped, adjective

Words nearby rep

reorganization, reorganize, reorient, reorientation, reovirus, rep, repack, repackage, repaglinide, repaint, repair

Other definitions for rep (2 of 9)

rep2
[ rep ]
/ rɛp /
noun Informal.
a repertory theater.

Origin of rep

2
By shortening

Other definitions for rep (3 of 9)

rep3
noun Informal.
a shortened form of repetition.

Origin of rep

3
First recorded in 1855–60

Other definitions for rep (4 of 9)

rep4
noun Informal.
a representative, especially a sales representative.

Origin of rep

4
By shortening

Other definitions for rep (5 of 9)

rep5
noun Informal.
a shortened form of reputation.

Origin of rep

5
First recorded in 1670–80

Other definitions for rep (6 of 9)

rep6
[ rep ]
/ rɛp /
noun Nucleonics.
a unit proposed as a supplement to roentgen for expressing dosage of ionizing radiation: subsequently abandoned.
Compare rem.

Origin of rep

6
First recorded in 1945–50; r(oentgen)e(quivalent)p(hysical)

Other definitions for rep (7 of 9)

rep.1
abbreviation
(in prescriptions) let it be repeated.

Origin of rep.

1
From the Latin word repetātur

Other definitions for rep (8 of 9)

rep.2
abbreviation
repair.
repeat.
report.
reported.
reporter.

Other definitions for rep (9 of 9)

Rep.
abbreviation
Representative.
Republic.
Republican.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT REP

What does rep mean?

Rep is most often used as a shortening of several common words, including repetition, representative, and reputation, as well as many others.

When used to mean repetition, rep is most commonly used in exercise and weightlifting, as in six reps on the leg press. When used to mean representative, rep is often used in customer service and sales. It’s also used in US politics, in which a Representative is a member of the House of Representatives. When it’s used to mean reputation, rep is mostly used in very informal settings, often referring to someone’s favor with others in a similar group.

Sometimes rep is more common than the full term. The context that rep is used in usually hints at which term the shortening represents.

Example: Please contact a sales rep if you have any problems with your order.

Where does rep come from?

Rep most frequently used as a shortening of many common words. The first records of rep to mean “reputation” come from around 1677, while the first records of the rep to mean “repetition” come from around 1936.

Rep can also be a shortened form of repair, repeat, report, Republic, and many other words.

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What are some synonyms for rep?

What are some words that share a root or word element with rep? 

How is rep used in real life?

Rep is a commonly used shortening of many different words. The surrounding words usually give you a clue about what rep means in that case.

 

 

Words related to rep

acceptability, account, approval, authority, character, credit, dependability, distinction, eminence, esteem, estimation, fame, favor, honor, influence, mark, name, notoriety, opinion, position

How to use rep in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rep (1 of 5)

rep1

repp

/ (rɛp) /
noun
a silk, wool, rayon, or cotton fabric with a transversely corded surface

Derived forms of rep

repped, adjective

Word Origin for rep

C19: from French reps, perhaps from English ribs; see rib 1

British Dictionary definitions for rep (2 of 5)

rep2
/ (rɛp) /
noun
theatre short for repertory company

British Dictionary definitions for rep (3 of 5)

rep3
/ (rɛp) /
noun
short for representative (def. 2), representative (def. 5)

British Dictionary definitions for rep (4 of 5)

rep4
/ (rɛp) /
noun
informal short for reputation

British Dictionary definitions for rep (5 of 5)

Rep.
abbreviation for
US Representative
US Republican
Republic
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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