Representative vs. Proxy: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || 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.
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.
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.
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.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Mainly noun, can be an adjective
Almost exclusively a noun
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Scope
Broader, various issues
Limited, specific actions
Legal Use
Yes
Yes
Common Use
Political, legal, corporate
Legal, corporate
Example Sentence
The representative spoke at the conference.
She gave him proxy to vote for her.
Representative and Proxy Definitions
Representative
An individual embodying characteristics of a group.
He is a representative of his generation.
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Proxy
A document authorizing one to act as a substitute.
She signed a proxy form.
Representative
One that serves as an example or type for others of the same classification.
Proxy
A person authorized to act for another in a specific instance.
He was her proxy at the shareholders' meeting.
Representative
One that serves as a delegate or agent for another.
Proxy
A server that acts as an intermediary for requests.
The proxy server filters out harmful content.
Representative
A member of a governmental body, usually legislative, chosen by popular vote.
Proxy
The authority or power to act for another.
He gave his lawyer proxy to sign documents.
Representative
A member of the US House of Representatives or of the lower house of a state legislature.
Proxy
A figure or statistic serving as an approximate measure.
Test scores serve as a proxy for aptitude.
Representative
Representing, depicting, or portraying or able to do so.
Proxy
One appointed or authorized to act for another, especially a person appointed to vote as one wishes at a meeting.
Representative
Authorized to act as an official delegate or agent.
Proxy
The authority to act for another.
Representative
Of or characteristic of government by representation.
Proxy
The written authorization to act in place of another.
Representative
Like or typical of others of the same class.
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.
Representative
Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.
Proxy
(Computers) A server that processes requests and forwards information between a client and another server.
Representative
Representing, showing a likeness.
Are you sure this paper is representative of your child's writing?
The representative faculty of the human imagination
Proxy
Used as a proxy or acting as a proxy.
A proxy indicator
A proxy measurement
Representative
A delegate.
Proxy
An agent or substitute authorized to act for another person.
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.
Proxy
The authority to act for another, especially when written.
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.
Proxy
The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts
Representative
(legal) An heir.
Proxy
(sciences) A measurement of one physical quantity that is used as an indicator of the value of another
Representative
Specifically, a member of the United States House of Representatives.
All representatives face re-election every two years.
Proxy
(software) An interface for a service, especially for one that is remote, resource-intensive, or otherwise difficult to use directly.
Representative
A company agent who visits potential purchasers; a salesman.
Proxy
A proximity mine; a mine that explodes when something approaches within a certain distance.
Representative
Something standing for something else.
Proxy
To serve as a proxy for.
Representative
Something representing or standing for another; a symbol, an embodiment.
Proxy
(networking) To function as a server for a client device, but pass on the requests to another server for service.
Representative
A member of a particular class.
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.
Representative
A substitute or analogue.
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.
Representative
Fitted to represent; exhibiting a similitude.
Proxy
A writing by which one person authorizes another to vote in his stead, as in a corporation meeting.
Representative
Bearing the character or power of another; acting for another or others; as, a council representative of the people.
Proxy
The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts.
Representative
Conducted by persons chosen to represent, or act as deputies for, the people; as, a representative government.
Proxy
See Procuration.
Representative
Serving or fitted to present the full characters of the type of a group; typical; as, a representative genus in a family.
Proxy
To act or vote by proxy; to do anything by the agency of another.
Representative
Giving, or existing as, a transcript of what was originally presentative knowledge; as, representative faculties; representative knowledge. See Presentative, 3 and Represent, 8.
Proxy
A person authorized to act for another
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.
Proxy
A power of attorney document given by shareholders of a corporation authorizing a specific vote on their behalf at a corporate meeting
Representative
An agent, deputy, or substitute, who supplies the place of another, or others, being invested with his or their authority.
Representative
One who represents, or stands in the place of, another.
Representative
A member of the lower or popular house in a State legislature, or in the national Congress.
Representative
That which presents the full character of the type of a group.
Representative
A person who represents others
Representative
An advocate who represents someone else's policy or purpose;
The meeting was attended by spokespersons for all the major organs of government
Representative
A member of the United States House of Representatives
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
Representative
Serving to represent or typify;
Representative moviegoers
A representative modern play
Representative
Standing for something else;
The bald eagle is representative of the United States
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
Representative
An elected official acting on behalf of constituents.
The state representative voted against the bill.
Representative
A person chosen to act or speak for a group.
She is our representative in the negotiations.
Representative
A sales agent or customer service individual.
The customer service representative helped me resolve the issue.
Representative
Something serving as a portrayal or symbol.
This painting is representative of the Romantic era.
FAQs
What does Proxy mean?
An appointed substitute to perform specific actions.
Is Proxy a noun?
Yes, it is almost exclusively used as a noun.
Is Representative a noun?
Yes, it is mainly used as a noun but can also be an adjective.
What's the scope of a Representative?
Generally broader, dealing with various issues.
Can Representative be used in a legal context?
Yes, it can relate to legal, political, or corporate settings.
Can Proxy be used in a legal context?
Yes, particularly for specific actions like voting.
Can a Representative be a symbol?
Yes, it can symbolize or portray a group or idea.
What does Representative mean?
A person chosen to act or speak on behalf of others.
Can a Proxy be a server?
Yes, in tech contexts, it refers to an intermediary server.
Is a Representative elected?
Often, but not always, as in the case of sales representatives.
Is a Proxy elected?
Rarely, usually appointed for specific tasks.
Are the terms interchangeable?
No, they are not generally interchangeable due to differences in scope and specificity.
What's the scope of a Proxy?
Usually more limited and specific.
Do Proxies have varied roles?
Generally, no; they're usually limited to specific tasks.
Do Representatives have varied roles?
Yes, they often handle multiple roles or issues.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
