delegate
DEH-lih-guht
Delegate (noun) means someone chosen to represent others, especially at a meeting or conference. Example: “Each country sent a delegate to the climate summit.”
noun
1
Someone chosen to represent others, especially at a meeting or conference.
"Each country sent a delegate to the climate summit."
"She was elected as the union's delegate for the regional talks."
"Our class chose Maya as its delegate to the student council meeting."
verb
1
To hand off a task or responsibility to someone else, usually someone junior.
"A good manager knows how to delegate tasks rather than doing everything herself."
"He delegated the budget review to his assistant."
"You cannot run a big project alone, so learn to delegate the smaller jobs."
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.
Common mistake
As a verb it's stressed on the last syllable (deh-luh-GATE); as a noun, on the first (DEH-luh-guht).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
delegate authority
delegate a task
union delegate
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like delegate.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- delegates
- Third person singular
- delegates
- Past tense
- delegated
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.
Related words
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.'
