deputy
Americannoun
plural
deputies-
a person appointed or authorized to act as a substitute for another or others.
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a person appointed or elected as assistant to a public official, serving as successor in the event of a vacancy.
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a person representing a constituency in certain legislative bodies.
adjective
noun
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a person appointed to act on behalf of or represent another
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( as modifier )
the deputy chairman
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a member of the legislative assembly or of the lower chamber of the legislature in various countries, such as France
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mining another word for fireman
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of deputy
1375–1425; late Middle English depute < Old French, noun use of past participle of deputer to depute
Explanation
A deputy is a sheriff's assistant, the person who fills in when the sheriff isn't available. When a deputy is in charge, she has the same powers and authority as the sheriff. You can use the noun deputy for anyone who is singled out to step in for another person. A deputy leader of a government fills in when the president or prime minister is ill, and a magazine's deputy editor is qualified to edit an issue when the editor isn't available. The Middle French root is députer, "appoint or assign," from the Late Latin deputare.
Vocabulary lists containing deputy
Iroquois Constitution
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"Yummy" by G. Neri
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Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639)
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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.
During his opening statement last month, Deputy Dist.
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026
Deputy mayor and local business owner Melissa Matters told AFP the financial impact was mixed.
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman filed a brief outlining the evidence she intends to present at any eventual trial.
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
Sarah Scobie, Deputy Director of Research at the Nuffield Trust, warned end-of-life care services are "ill-prepared for an increase in deaths as the population ages overall".
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
And with Francia being Deputy Mayor and Hildy being whoever she is in Farbranch, I’m beginning to think it’s a town run by women.
From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
