Jump To:

• rep
  rep

  noun

  a transversely corded fabric of wool, silk, rayon, or cotton.
• rep.
  rep.

  abbreviation

  (in prescriptions) let it be repeated.
• Rep.
  Rep.

  abbreviation

  Representative.

rep

¹ American  

[rep] / rɛp /

Or repp

noun

1. a transversely corded fabric of wool, silk, rayon, or cotton.

---

rep ² American  

[rep] / rɛp /

noun

Informal.

1. a repertory theater.

---

rep ³ American  

noun

Informal.

1. a shortened form of repetition.

---

rep ⁴ American  

noun

Informal.

1. a representative, especially a sales representative.

---

rep ⁵ American  

noun

Informal.

1. a shortened form of reputation.

---

rep ⁶ American  

[rep] / rɛp /

noun

Nucleonics.

1. a unit proposed as a supplement to roentgen for expressing dosage of ionizing radiation: subsequently abandoned.

---

rep. ⁷ American  

abbreviation

1. (in prescriptions) let it be repeated.

---

rep. ⁸ American  

abbreviation

1. repair.

2. repeat.

3. report.

4. reported.

5. reporter.

---

Rep. ⁹ American  

abbreviation

1. Representative.

2. Republic.

3. Republican.

---

Rep. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Representative

2. Republican

3. Republic

---

rep ² British  

/ rɛp /

noun

1. a silk, wool, rayon, or cotton fabric with a transversely corded surface

---

rep ³ British  

/ rɛp /

noun

1. theatre short for repertory company

---

rep ⁴ British  

/ rɛp /

noun

1. short for representative representative

---

rep ⁵ British  

/ rɛp /

noun

1. informal short for reputation

---

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• repped
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of rep¹

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

Origin of rep²

By shortening

Origin of rep³

First recorded in 1855–60

Origin of rep⁴

By shortening

Origin of rep⁵

First recorded in 1670–80

Origin of rep⁶

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

Origin of rep.⁷

From the Latin word repetātur

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rep rep. Rep.

When she arrived, however, a holiday rep told her it was not.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

When the rep said there was nothing she could do, I opened the car door.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

A rep for Combs also did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the alleged brawl.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

The blonde sales rep seated next to him answered wryly.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

I know her name because of her rep as a home-run hitter.

From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone

"I think it's really unfairly got a bad rep. And I think that's because in the news or on social media, people don't want to talk about good things."

From BBC ● Jan. 1, 2025

“We’re competing out here. I win a rep. I lose a rep. It’s all growing and learning. I’d rather lose some in practice than get to game day and do it.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2023

“I mean, I treat every rep out there, like a game rep. So if I do play, what is it Monday night, I’ll be ready to go.”

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 21, 2022

“I was working for Kenneth Cole as their Northeast rep. Billy was one of my accounts. When I left his store, I turned to my friend and said, ‘There’s something about that man.

From New York Times ● Jul. 8, 2021

I want my boys to remain with you until they rep. 195ceive their education.

From The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Island by Roger Thompson Finlay

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, an Illinois Democrat, has been trying for several years to get a bill through the House of Representatives but could not move the ball before her upcoming retirement in January.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

Rep. Brian Seitz, a Branson Republican who guided the amendment through the House, denied that supporters were trying to trick voters.

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026

A filing, signed by Rep. Nancy Pelosi on Aug. 21, showed purchases of 15,000 shares of Bloom Energy and 200 call options.

From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026

Rep. Byron Donalds, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, easily won the GOP’s gubernatorial nomination with 49% of the vote despite a crowded field that featured tough competitors, including Lt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

On the other hand, Blake, in Geological Report, Pacific Railroad Rep., vol. v., p.

From The Earth as Modified by Human Action by George P. Marsh