deputy

American  

[dep-yuh-tee] / ˈdɛp yə ti /

noun

plural

deputies

1. a person appointed or authorized to act as a substitute for another or others.

   Synonyms:

   proxy, emissary, envoy, surrogate, representative, agent

2. deputy sheriff.

3. a person appointed or elected as assistant to a public official, serving as successor in the event of a vacancy.

4. a person representing a constituency in certain legislative bodies.

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adjective

1. appointed, elected, or serving as an assistant or second-in-command.

deputy British  

/ ˈdɛpjʊtɪ /

noun

1. 1. a person appointed to act on behalf of or represent another

   2. ( as modifier )

      the deputy chairman

2. a member of the legislative assembly or of the lower chamber of the legislature in various countries, such as France

3. mining another word for fireman

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Other Word Forms

• deputyship noun
• subdeputy noun

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.

Example Sentences

At the end of the meeting, Barr turned to his top deputy, made hand motions as if he was tying on a bandana and said he was going to “kamikaze” into the White House.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

The unlikely friendship between the deputy prime minister and the vice-president began when Lammy was an opposition MP and Vance had just been elected to the US Senate.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

"At this point in time, clients consider fuel costs a lot when making a decision on which cars to buy," said Pham Minh Hai, deputy head of sales at a Vinfast showroom.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

During this standoff, CBS Los Angeles’ helicopter spotted a deputy just feet from the crashed car scrolling through what appeared to be a woman’s dating app profile.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

The Giles County sheriff’s SUV parks, and the deputy gets out.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

• aide
• appointee
• commissioner
• delegate
• minister
• representative