deputy

[dep-yuh-tee]

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.

adjective

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

deputy

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• deputyship noun
• subdeputy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deputy¹

1375–1425; late Middle English depute < Old French, noun use of past participle of deputer to depute

Word History and Origins

Origin of deputy¹

C16: from Old French depute, from deputer to appoint; see _depute

Example Sentences

England had opted against an official deputy over the summer series against West Indies and India, instead utilising a "leadership group" of various senior players.

From BBC

Previously, Williams was a deputy mayor in the administration of Mayor James K. Hahn, who held office from 2001 to 2005.

From Los Angeles Times

The announcement was made by acting CDC director Jim O’Neill, a top deputy to Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic.

From Los Angeles Times

Dr Andrew Lee, regional deputy director of the UK Health Security Agency in Yorkshire and the Humber, said this was because infants were most at risk of contracting the illness.

From BBC

Delighting in the performance and applauding from the floor pit are gender-bending members of the new bohemia, alongside champagne-sipping deputies in tuxedos of the Berlin elite.

From Salon

Related Words

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