Representative vs. Proxy: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 28, 2023
A "Representative" is a person chosen to act or speak on behalf of others, often with a broader scope of duties. A "Proxy" is an appointed substitute to perform specific actions, often in a more limited context like voting or attending a meeting.
Key Differences
"Representative" and "Proxy" both refer to someone who acts on behalf of someone else, but their roles and scope often differ. A representative is generally someone who is chosen to act or speak for a group or individual across a range of issues or topics. For instance, elected officials are representatives who speak on behalf of their constituents on various matters.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
In contrast, a proxy usually serves a more specific, often limited, role. A proxy might be appointed to vote on someone's behalf at a shareholders' meeting or to attend a specific event. In these cases, the authority of a proxy is often clearly defined and restricted to particular actions or decisions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
From a grammatical perspective, "Representative" is commonly used as a noun but can also be an adjective describing something that serves to represent. "Proxy," on the other hand, is almost exclusively used as a noun. Both words can be used in various contexts, but they tend to carry specific legal and formal connotations.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
While both "Representative" and "Proxy" can appear in legal, corporate, and governmental settings, they are not always interchangeable. For example, a power of attorney may appoint a proxy to make medical decisions, whereas a representative could be responsible for broader legal or financial matters.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Example Sentence
The representative spoke at the conference.
She gave him proxy to vote for her.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
Representative and Proxy Definitions
Representative
An individual embodying characteristics of a group.
He is a representative of his generation.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023
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Proxy
A document authorizing one to act as a substitute.
She signed a proxy form.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
Representative
One that serves as an example or type for others of the same classification.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
A person authorized to act for another in a specific instance.
He was her proxy at the shareholders' meeting.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
Proxy
A server that acts as an intermediary for requests.
The proxy server filters out harmful content.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023
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Representative
A member of a governmental body, usually legislative, chosen by popular vote.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
The authority or power to act for another.
He gave his lawyer proxy to sign documents.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023
Representative
A member of the US House of Representatives or of the lower house of a state legislature.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
A figure or statistic serving as an approximate measure.
Test scores serve as a proxy for aptitude.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023
Proxy
One appointed or authorized to act for another, especially a person appointed to vote as one wishes at a meeting.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
An entity or variable used to model or generate data assumed to resemble the data associated with another entity or variable that is typically more difficult to research.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
(Computers) A server that processes requests and forwards information between a client and another server.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
Representing, showing a likeness.
Are you sure this paper is representative of your child's writing?
The representative faculty of the human imagination
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
Used as a proxy or acting as a proxy.
A proxy indicator
A proxy measurement
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
Someone who represents others as a member of a legislative or governing body.
She served four terms as representative of her local at the national union convention.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
One who speaks for or acts on behalf of another in a particular (especially official) capacity.
I will send a representative to work out the details of the contract.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
(sciences) A measurement of one physical quantity that is used as an indicator of the value of another
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
Specifically, a member of the United States House of Representatives.
All representatives face re-election every two years.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
(software) An interface for a service, especially for one that is remote, resource-intensive, or otherwise difficult to use directly.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
A proximity mine; a mine that explodes when something approaches within a certain distance.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
Something representing or standing for another; a symbol, an embodiment.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
(networking) To function as a server for a client device, but pass on the requests to another server for service.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
The agency for another who acts through the agent; authority to act for another, esp. to vote in a legislative or corporate capacity.
I have no man's proxy: I speak only for myself.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
The person who is substituted or deputed to act or vote for another.
Every peer . . . may make another lord of parliament his proxy, to vote for him in his absence.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
A writing by which one person authorizes another to vote in his stead, as in a corporation meeting.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
Bearing the character or power of another; acting for another or others; as, a council representative of the people.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
Conducted by persons chosen to represent, or act as deputies for, the people; as, a representative government.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
Serving or fitted to present the full characters of the type of a group; typical; as, a representative genus in a family.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
Giving, or existing as, a transcript of what was originally presentative knowledge; as, representative faculties; representative knowledge. See Presentative, 3 and Represent, 8.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
One who, or that which, represents (anything); that which exhibits a likeness or similitude.
A statute of Rumor, whispering an idiot in the ear, who was the representative of Credulity.
Difficulty must cumber this doctrine which supposes that the perfections of God are the representatives to us of whatever we perceive in the creatures.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Proxy
A power of attorney document given by shareholders of a corporation authorizing a specific vote on their behalf at a corporate meeting
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
An agent, deputy, or substitute, who supplies the place of another, or others, being invested with his or their authority.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
A member of the lower or popular house in a State legislature, or in the national Congress.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
That which presents the full character of the type of a group.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
An advocate who represents someone else's policy or purpose;
The meeting was attended by spokespersons for all the major organs of government
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
An item of information that is representative of a type;
This patient provides a typical example of the syndrome
There is an example on page 10
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
Serving to represent or typify;
Representative moviegoers
A representative modern play
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
Standing for something else;
The bald eagle is representative of the United States
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Representative
An elected official acting on behalf of constituents.
The state representative voted against the bill.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
Representative
A person chosen to act or speak for a group.
She is our representative in the negotiations.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023
Representative
A sales agent or customer service individual.
The customer service representative helped me resolve the issue.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
Representative
Something serving as a portrayal or symbol.
This painting is representative of the Romantic era.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
FAQs
Is Representative a noun?
Yes, it is mainly used as a noun but can also be an adjective.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
What's the scope of a Representative?
Generally broader, dealing with various issues.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023
Can Representative be used in a legal context?
Yes, it can relate to legal, political, or corporate settings.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
Can Proxy be used in a legal context?
Yes, particularly for specific actions like voting.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
Can a Representative be a symbol?
Yes, it can symbolize or portray a group or idea.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 20, 2023
What does Representative mean?
A person chosen to act or speak on behalf of others.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
Can a Proxy be a server?
Yes, in tech contexts, it refers to an intermediary server.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
Is a Representative elected?
Often, but not always, as in the case of sales representatives.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
Are the terms interchangeable?
No, they are not generally interchangeable due to differences in scope and specificity.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
Do Proxies have varied roles?
Generally, no; they're usually limited to specific tasks.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023
Do Representatives have varied roles?
Yes, they often handle multiple roles or issues.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
