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

Example Sentences

Baroness Bull was a principal dancer at the Royal Ballet for almost two decades and is a current deputy speaker.

From BBC

Krell, a former deputy attorney general, said cases that have stirred outrage seem to be appearing in just about every county, including in her district.

From Los Angeles Times

The defendant smiled a few times during the hearing as he spoke to sheriffs' deputies.

From BBC

The distance between “enhance economic ties” and a deputy chief of staff’s wife posting “SOON” over a map of Greenland is the distance between a policy paper and a foreign-policy crisis.

From MarketWatch

The Times had previously reported that Hudley Hayes was concerned enough about possible edits that she sought advice from a deputy city attorney.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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