Proxy vs. Representative — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 31, 2023
Proxy is someone or something acting on behalf of another; a representative is a person elected or appointed to act or speak for others.
Difference Between Proxy and Representative
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A proxy often refers to a person authorized to vote or act for another, especially in formal settings like meetings. A representative is typically an elected or appointed official in a government or organization, charged with representing the interests of a group or constituency.
In technical contexts, proxy can mean an intermediary in a network, mediating requests. A representative, in contrast, doesn’t have a direct technical meaning but refers to a human role, such as a sales representative, embodying the face of a company.
Proxy can also imply a function or authority granted temporarily. Representatives usually hold their roles for a defined term or until replaced through a formal process.
The term proxy often implies acting under specific, sometimes limited, authority. Representatives, especially in political contexts, often have broader mandates to make decisions and propose actions on behalf of others.
In legal contexts, a proxy is a document authorizing a person to act for another. A representative may also function under legal authority but typically within a broader scope of duties and responsibilities.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Someone acting on behalf of another
Person elected or appointed to act/speak for others
Context
Formal meetings, technical networks
Government, organizations, sales
Duration
Often temporary or for specific tasks
Usually serves a defined term
Scope
Specific authority or function
Broader mandate, decision-making power
Usage in Tech
Intermediary in networks
Not typically used in a technical sense
Compare with Definitions
Proxy
A document granting this authority.
She signed a proxy giving her lawyer decision-making power.
Representative
Exemplifying a larger group.
The survey sample was representative of the population.
Proxy
A figure that represents something else.
In the experiment, temperature was a proxy for energy.
Representative
Symbolizing or standing for something.
The statue was representative of the city's history.
Proxy
Authorized to act for another.
He sent a proxy to vote on his behalf.
Representative
One that serves as an example or type for others of the same classification.
Proxy
A server acting as an intermediary.
The company uses a proxy server for internet access.
Representative
One that serves as a delegate or agent for another.
Proxy
One appointed or authorized to act for another, especially a person appointed to vote as one wishes at a meeting.
Representative
A member of a governmental body, usually legislative, chosen by popular vote.
Proxy
The authority to act for another.
Representative
A member of the US House of Representatives or of the lower house of a state legislature.
Proxy
The written authorization to act in place of another.
Representative
Representing, depicting, or portraying or able to do so.
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
Authorized to act as an official delegate or agent.
Proxy
(Computers) A server that processes requests and forwards information between a client and another server.
Representative
Of or characteristic of government by representation.
Proxy
Used as a proxy or acting as a proxy.
A proxy indicator
A proxy measurement
Representative
Like or typical of others of the same class.
Proxy
An agent or substitute authorized to act for another person.
Representative
Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.
Proxy
The authority to act for another, especially when written.
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
The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts
Representative
A delegate.
Proxy
(sciences) A measurement of one physical quantity that is used as an indicator of the value of another
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
(software) An interface for a service, especially for one that is remote, resource-intensive, or otherwise difficult to use directly.
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
A proximity mine; a mine that explodes when something approaches within a certain distance.
Representative
(legal) An heir.
Proxy
To serve as a proxy for.
Representative
Specifically, a member of the United States House of Representatives.
All representatives face re-election every two years.
Proxy
(networking) To function as a server for a client device, but pass on the requests to another server for service.
Representative
A company agent who visits potential purchasers; a salesman.
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
Something standing for something else.
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
Something representing or standing for another; a symbol, an embodiment.
Proxy
A writing by which one person authorizes another to vote in his stead, as in a corporation meeting.
Representative
A member of a particular class.
Proxy
The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts.
Representative
A substitute or analogue.
Proxy
See Procuration.
Representative
Fitted to represent; exhibiting a similitude.
Proxy
To act or vote by proxy; to do anything by the agency of another.
Representative
Bearing the character or power of another; acting for another or others; as, a council representative of the people.
Proxy
A person authorized to act for another
Representative
Conducted by persons chosen to represent, or act as deputies for, the people; as, a representative government.
Proxy
A power of attorney document given by shareholders of a corporation authorizing a specific vote on their behalf at a corporate meeting
Representative
Serving or fitted to present the full characters of the type of a group; typical; as, a representative genus in a family.
Proxy
Acting under delegated authority.
He attended the meeting as the CEO’s proxy.
Representative
Giving, or existing as, a transcript of what was originally presentative knowledge; as, representative faculties; representative knowledge. See Presentative, 3 and Represent, 8.
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.
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
Elected official in government.
She was elected as a representative to Congress.
Representative
Person acting for a group.
He was chosen as the representative of the committee.
Representative
Sales or customer service role.
She works as a customer service representative.
Common Curiosities
Can a representative also be a proxy?
Yes, a representative can act as a proxy in specific situations.
What does a proxy server do?
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between a user's device and the internet.
Are representatives always elected?
Representatives can be elected or appointed, depending on the context.
Can anyone be a proxy?
Generally, yes, if they are authorized by the person they represent.
What is a proxy vote?
A proxy vote is a vote cast by one person on behalf of another.
How does one become a representative?
Through election, appointment, or selection by a group.
What skills should a representative have?
Communication, decision-making, and an understanding of constituent needs.
What responsibilities do representatives have?
Representatives typically have decision-making and advocacy responsibilities.
What is a representative democracy?
A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Can a proxy make decisions?
Yes, within the scope of authority granted to them.
Do representatives get paid?
In many contexts, yes, especially in government roles.
Are proxy servers safe?
They can provide security benefits, but it depends on the server's configuration and management.
Is a proxy always temporary?
Often, but not necessarily; it depends on the context and agreement.
What legal power does a proxy have?
It depends on the authority granted in the proxy document.
Can a proxy represent multiple people?
Yes, if authorized by each person.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
