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.
See Examples For:
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said he had spoken to Widdecombe on Monday and he "nearly fell over with shock and horror" when he heard of her death.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
Ruemmler has left some people with the impression that Michael Bosworth, the firm’s acting general counsel and her former deputy, might not be ready for the top job, according to people familiar with the discussions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
Her deputy mayor of communications, Zach Seidl, left in October 2025 and his replacement, Amanda Crumley, left after about two months on the job.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026
It was signed by Morgan DeWitt Snow, deputy director of presidential personnel in the Executive Office of the President.
From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026
They had seen each other dozens of times but the deputy did not remember him.
From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers
The only part of the package he disagrees with, Baka said, is the section which prevents parliamentary deputies who have served three terms from running again.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
When they arrived on the scene, deputies learned Pilitsis had left her residence on foot and was last seen near her home, authorities said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
Pelosi reportedly told deputies he knew he had struck “something,” but said he was unsure what it was before continuing to drive.
From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026
The sheriff, he added, would much rather have deputies “keeping an eye on 6,000 workers in one area than dispersing them throughout the communities.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026
The deputies didn't handcuff Walter or shackle him, so he walked into court waving to family and friends.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
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.
