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.

Three employees and an American rep greeted me outside the PS building like I was arriving on the red carpet.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

So I figured, you know what, why not buy an apron and a little black crop top, and rep L.A.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

The Delta rep complied after that but told me I had to wait to officially request the refund once I returned to New York and the entire flight reservation was complete.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the union was "devastated" to learn the driver, a former RMT rep, had died.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

It was true, the hall rep confirmed the news, and they all sighed, contemplating this sudden unwanted break, and returned to their rooms to pack; the hostel would be closed the next day.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

"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

U. S. Sen. Henry B., 24; rep. in favor of wom. suff.,

From The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV by Harper, Ida Husted

It was no longer, he said, a race just between El-Sayed, a public health official who has never held elected office, and Rep. Haley Stevens, a moderate four-term congresswoman.

From Slate ● Jul. 30, 2026

In New Jersey’s fifth district, five-term Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer is expected to cruise to re-election, as he’s in a safe seat for his party and he didn’t face a primary challenger.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, the movement’s rising star in Congress, has served in the House since 2019.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026

Rep. Cyrus King of Massachusetts grumbled that Jefferson’s collection included “irreligious and immoral books” and complained that the funds could be spent for “purposes more indispensable than the purchase of a library.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

See also the case of the Fitzwalter Peerage, 10 Clark & Finelly's Rep., p. 948.15.Matt. ix.

From An Examination of the Testimony of the Four Evangelists by Greenleaf, Simon