unrepresentative - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
unrepresentative Word Meanings
- not accurately reflecting a larger group
- not typical
- not representative
unrepresentative Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
unrepresentative Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ʌnˌrɛprɪˈzɛntətɪv/
US
/ʌnˌrɛprɪˈzɛnətɪv/
unrepresentative Word Etymology
Root Decomposition: 'un-' (not) + 'representative' (serving as a representative). Historical Origin: Latin 'repraesentare' → Old French 'représenter' → English 'representative'. Memory Image: Imagine a group photo where one person is not like the others, symbolizing that something is not representative of the whole.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Unrepresentative is used to describe data, samples, or examples that do not reflect the typical characteristics of a larger group. If a study includes only a small, biased subset of people or situations, its results may be unrepresentative of the overall population. The term often signals caution when drawing conclusions: what seems true for a few cases might not hold for the majority. In everyday conversation, you might say a photo or statistic is unrepresentative of the true situation, reminding listeners to consider broader evidence before judging. The word combines the negative prefix un- with representative to indicate something failing to stand in for the whole.
Usage Reminders
- Use unrepresentative to flag generalizations from small or biased samples.
- Pair with of the whole or of the population for clarity.
- Not the same as unreliable data; it focuses on coverage, not accuracy.
- Look for bias in sample selection before drawing conclusions.
- Avoid overusing the term in everyday casual話s; reserve for evidence-based contexts.
Common Misconceptions
- It means the data is completely false or invalid.
- It only applies to numbers, not to photos or examples.
- A large sample is always representative.
- It implies intentional bias by the researchers.
- It is the opposite of 'representative' rather than a property of data.
Thinking Differences
This concept helps English learners avoid overgeneralizing from limited data; learners often confuse unrepresentative with unreliable data, so emphasize the scope (the group covered) and the sampling method.
Learning Tips
- Identify the group the data is supposed to represent.
- Ask whether the sample size is large enough to support conclusions.
- Check for sampling bias or nonrandom selection.
- Differentiate representativeness from data accuracy.
- Look for corroborating evidence from other sources.
- Practice by evaluating quick examples in news or reports.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does 'unrepresentative' mean?
A.Showing clear representation
B.Not typical or not representative of a larger group
C.Indicating high accuracy
D.Being fully representative
Step 2: Usage
Choose the correct usage of 'unrepresentative' in a sentence.
A.His unrepresentative ideas were welcomed during the discussion.
B.The unrepresentative results accurately forecasted the future.
C.The survey results were unrepresentative of the population's opinions.
D.She found the unrepresentative data to be very reliable.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which of the following words is most similar to 'unrepresentative'?
A.accurate
B.atypical
C.common
D.reliable
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'unrepresentative'?
A.partial
B.unusual
C.typical
D.biased
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where something is unrepresentative?
A.Many cities participated in the review of the new project.
B.A study shows that the majority support a new policy, but only a small town was surveyed.
C.A comprehensive report included diverse viewpoints from different communities.
D.The results were based on full data from every household.
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