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Synonyms

representational

American  
[rep-ri-zen-tey-shuh-nl, -zuhn-] / ˌrɛp rɪ zɛnˌteɪ ʃə nl, -zən- /

adjective

  1. of or relating to representation.

  2. representing or depicting an object in a recognizable manner.

    representational art.


representational British  
/ ˌrɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃənəl /

adjective

  1. fine arts depicting or attempting to depict objects, scenes, figures, etc, directly as seen; naturalistic

  2. of or relating to representation

"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

Other Word Forms

  • unrepresentational adjective

Etymology

Origin of representational

First recorded in 1850–55; representation + -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Kahn’s most representational works are his least interesting; it’s in the careful dissection of his elements and the revelation of what we’re looking at that the most joy is found.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

Certainly, this representational role is a dimension of the presidency with which he has seemed at ease.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2024

He tried to use Euler’s circles to illustrate Boole’s algebra of truth-values, but Euler’s representational system would not quite do the trick.

From Salon • Jul. 29, 2024

This is where making the series about Muslim women rockers accomplishes more than representational box-ticking: It makes an old story new and nuanced.

From New York Times • May 29, 2024

“You’re not going to go into the merits of representational currency, are you?”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss