deputy

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.

“Deputy” is pronounced DEHP-yuh-tee (/ˈdɛpjəti/ in IPA).

Here is “deputy” used in a sentence: “The deputy took charge while the headteacher was on leave.”

Words with a similar meaning to “deputy” include substitute, representative, legate, delegate, envoy and agent.

The opposite of “deputy” — its antonyms — are client and principal.

“Deputy” is a noun.

The word “deputy” comes from Late Latin. From French depute, from Late Latin deputatus, "appointed.".

“Deputy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

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.

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.

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.

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.