deputy
DEHP-yuh-tee
Deputy (noun) means a person who is second-in-command and acts on behalf of a senior officeholder. Example: “The deputy took charge while the headteacher was on leave.”
noun
1
A person who is second-in-command and acts on behalf of a senior officeholder.
"The deputy took charge while the headteacher was on leave."
"She was promoted to deputy manager after two years."
"The deputy head handled the complaint while the principal was away at a conference."
2
A law enforcement officer who works under a county sheriff, especially in the US.
"The sheriff sent two deputies to investigate the report."
"A deputy stopped by the farm to ask whether anyone had seen the missing horse."
"Two deputies helped the sheriff direct traffic around the county fair."
3
A member of a legislative body in certain countries, such as France.
"The deputy addressed the National Assembly on the new bill."
"The deputy for the northern region spoke strongly against the proposed changes in parliament."
"Each deputy represents voters from a particular district in the national assembly."
How to use deputy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who stands in for, or ranks just below, a person in charge.
Common pairings
deputy head
deputy sheriff
acting deputy
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Word forms
- Plural
- deputies
- Third person singular
- deputies
- Past tense
- deputied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ took charge while the headteacher was on leave.
Etymology
From French depute, from Late Latin deputatus, "appointed."
Synonyms
View more →
second-in-command
assistant
vice
right-hand person
stand-in
understudy
substitute
representative
legate
delegate
envoy
agent
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for deputy
See all rhymes for deputy →Frequently asked questions
What does “deputy” mean?
The word “deputy” means a person who is second-in-command and acts on behalf of a senior officeholder. In plain terms, someone who stands in for, or ranks just below, a person in charge.
How do you pronounce “deputy”?
“Deputy” is pronounced DEHP-yuh-tee (/ˈdɛpjəti/ in IPA).
How do you use “deputy” in a sentence?
Here is “deputy” used in a sentence: “The deputy took charge while the headteacher was on leave.”
What is another word for “deputy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “deputy” include substitute, representative, legate, delegate, envoy and agent.
What is the opposite of “deputy”?
The opposite of “deputy” — its antonyms — are client and principal.
What part of speech is “deputy”?
“Deputy” is a noun.
Where does the word “deputy” come from?
The word “deputy” comes from Late Latin. From French depute, from Late Latin deputatus, "appointed.".
Is “deputy” a common word?
“Deputy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a deputy and an assistant?
An assistant supports and helps, but does not usually hold the boss's authority. A deputy is empowered to act in the leader's place — making decisions and standing in when the senior person is absent. Every deputy assists, but a deputy carries real delegated power that an ordinary assistant does not.
What does a deputy do?
A deputy is second-in-command. They support the senior officeholder day to day, take on delegated responsibilities, and step in to lead when their boss is away, ill, or unavailable. Their exact duties vary by role, but the core job is to act reliably on the leader's behalf.
Is a deputy the same as a vice, such as a vice-president?
They are very close. Both 'deputy' and 'vice' label a second-in-command who can act for the leader — a deputy chair and a vice-chair do much the same job. 'Vice' is more common in fixed titles like vice-president, while 'deputy' is used more flexibly across many roles.
What is an example of a deputy?
Common examples include a deputy head teacher who runs a school when the head is out, a deputy sheriff acting for the sheriff, or a deputy prime minister standing in for the PM. In business, a deputy manager supervises staff and covers for the manager. The pattern is always second-in-command.
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