delegate
Delegate (noun) means someone chosen to represent others, especially at a meeting or conference. Example: “Each country sent a delegate to the climate summit.”
How to use delegate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a person sent to represent others, or the act of passing a task on to someone else.
As a verb it's stressed on the last syllable (deh-luh-GATE); as a noun, on the first (DEH-luh-guht).
Word forms
delegated past tense, delegates plural, delegates singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Each country sent a _____ to the climate summit.
Etymology
From Latin delegatus, "sent" or "assigned" — related to "legate," an official envoy.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for delegate
See all rhymes for delegate →Frequently asked questions
What does “delegate” mean?
The word “delegate” means someone chosen to represent others, especially at a meeting or conference. In plain terms, either a person sent to represent others, or the act of passing a task on to someone else.
How do you pronounce “delegate”?
“Delegate” is pronounced DEH-lih-guht (/ˈdɛlɪɡət/ in IPA).
How do you use “delegate” in a sentence?
Here is “delegate” used in a sentence: “Each country sent a delegate to the climate summit.”
What part of speech is “delegate”?
Depending on how it is used, “delegate” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “delegate” come from?
The word “delegate” comes from Latin. From Latin delegatus, "sent" or "assigned" — related to "legate," an official envoy.
Is “delegate” a common word?
“Delegate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “delegate” have?
“Delegate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone chosen to represent others, especially at a meeting or conference.
What is the difference between a delegate and a representative?
A delegate is specifically someone chosen to represent others at a meeting or conference, often carrying a mandate to vote or act on their behalf. Representative is a broader term that can apply to anyone acting or speaking for a group, not just in a formal meeting setting.
What does it mean to delegate a task at work?
To delegate a task means to hand off responsibility for it to someone else, usually a junior colleague, so that the delegator can focus on other priorities. It's a common management skill associated with trust and efficient teamwork.
Is delegate pronounced differently as a noun and a verb?
Yes, the noun delegate is typically stressed on the first syllable with a shorter final vowel, while the verb delegate is stressed similarly but ends with a fuller vowel sound. This noun-verb stress shift is common in English words like 'delegate,' 'record,' and 'contract.'