noun
Uncommon
proxy
PROK-see
Proxy (noun) means a person authorized to act or vote on behalf of someone else. Example: “She couldn't attend the meeting, so she sent a proxy to vote for her.”
noun
1
A person authorized to act or vote on behalf of someone else.
"She couldn't attend the meeting, so she sent a proxy to vote for her."
"Dad acted as my proxy and signed the form while I was away."
"If you can't come to the meeting, appoint a proxy to vote for you."
2
A measurement or indicator used to stand in for something else that is hard to measure directly.
"Scientists use tree rings as a proxy for past climate conditions."
"Shoe size is sometimes used as a proxy for a child's age."
"Researchers used the number of umbrellas sold as a proxy for rainy weather."
3
A server or service that sits between a user and the internet, forwarding requests on their behalf.
"The company routes all traffic through a proxy for security reasons."
"I set up a proxy so my browsing would not show my real location."
"The school's proxy blocks certain websites on the library computers."
adj
1
Acting or serving as a substitute for something or someone else.
"The rebels fought what was widely seen as a proxy war between two larger powers."
How to use proxy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stand-in — a person, number, or system acting in place of another.
Common pairings
proxy vote
proxy war
proxy server
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Word forms
- Plural
- proxies
- Third person singular
- proxies
- Past tense
- proxied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She couldn't attend the meeting, so she sent a _____ to vote for her.
Etymology
From Middle English procucie, a contraction of procuracie, ultimately from Latin procuratio, "management" — related to procure.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for proxy
See all rhymes for proxy →Frequently asked questions
What does “proxy” mean?
The word “proxy” means a person authorized to act or vote on behalf of someone else. In plain terms, a stand-in — a person, number, or system acting in place of another.
How do you pronounce “proxy”?
“Proxy” is pronounced PROK-see (/ˈpɹɑk.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “proxy” in a sentence?
Here is “proxy” used in a sentence: “She couldn't attend the meeting, so she sent a proxy to vote for her.”
What is another word for “proxy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “proxy” include deputy, substitute and representative.
What part of speech is “proxy”?
Depending on how it is used, “proxy” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “proxy” come from?
The word “proxy” comes from Latin. From Middle English procucie, a contraction of procuracie, ultimately from Latin procuratio, "management" — related to procure.
Is “proxy” a common word?
“Proxy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “proxy” have?
“Proxy” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person authorized to act or vote on behalf of someone else.
What is the difference between a proxy and a VPN?
A proxy is a server that sits between a user and the internet, forwarding requests on the user's behalf, often to mask an IP address or filter content. A VPN encrypts all of a device's internet traffic and typically offers broader security, whereas a proxy usually only redirects specific application traffic.
What does it mean to vote by proxy?
Voting by proxy means authorizing another person to cast a vote on your behalf when you cannot attend in person, common in shareholder meetings and some elections. The proxy acts according to the voter's instructions or discretion.
What is a proxy measurement used for?
A proxy measurement is an indicator used to stand in for something that is hard to measure directly, such as using tree rings as a proxy for past climate conditions. Scientists rely on proxies when direct measurement of a phenomenon is impossible or impractical.
Can 'proxy' be used as an adjective?
Yes, proxy can function as an adjective meaning acting as a substitute, as in 'proxy war' or 'proxy server.' In this usage, it describes something that stands in for or represents another party.
