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

Derived 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

"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

“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

“The studio rep. kept saying, ‘No I’m sorry, we can’t go above, and if you feel that you’ll have to take another job, then please let me know by Monday,’” Bachiller said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 2021

“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

She’s a rep., you see, and she has to keep it up.”

From The Maidens' Lodge None of Self and All of Thee, (In the Reign of Queen Anne) by Petherick, Horace