deputy
Americannoun
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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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Expanding policies regarding biofuels could help farmers benefit from gains in productivity in raising crops, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden said at The Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum in June.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026
Deputy Green Party leader Rachel Millward told the BBC Polanksi had not been on the electoral register because of "security reasons".
From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026
Ambassador Wendy Sherman, former Deputy Secretary of State under the Obama administration, understands the current situation better than most.
From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi appeared to push back at the comments.
From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026
Then I told her I was trying to learn enough rootwork so that when Deputy Collins came back, I could help Doc protect our family.
From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce
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.
