deputy

[ dep-yuh-tee ]

noun

, plural dep·u·ties.

1. a person appointed or authorized to act as a substitute for another or others.

   Synonyms: proxy, emissary, envoy, surrogate, representative, agent

2. deputy sheriff.
3. a person appointed or elected as assistant to a public official, serving as successor in the event of a vacancy.
4. a person representing a constituency in certain legislative bodies.

adjective

1. appointed, elected, or serving as an assistant or second-in-command.

deputy

/ ˈdɛpjʊtɪ /

noun

1. 1. a person appointed to act on behalf of or represent another
   2. ( as modifier )

      the deputy chairman

2. a member of the legislative assembly or of the lower chamber of the legislature in various countries, such as France
3. mining another word for fireman

Other Words From

• depu·ty·ship noun
• sub·depu·ty noun plural subdeputies

Word History and Origins

Origin of deputy¹

1375–1425; late Middle English depute < Old French, noun use of past participle of deputer to depute

Word History and Origins

Origin of deputy¹

C16: from Old French depute, from deputer to appoint; see depute

Example Sentences

Trump has named Taylor Budowich as a deputy chief of staff in charge of communications and personnel.

From Salon

Stephen Miller will be deputy chief of staff and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem will head the Department of Homeland Security.

From Los Angeles Times

"Sri Lanka has still not recovered from the 2022 economic crisis, even with the IMF bailout," Raisa Wickrematunge, deputy editor of Himal Southasian magazine, told the BBC.

From BBC

Trump became infuriated with Sessions after he recused himself from overseeing the Russia probe, and his top deputy, Rod Rosenstein, appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller as a special counsel to oversee the investigation with independence.

From Los Angeles Times

“We do not want our head of state honouring a country that commits genocide,” said LFI deputy David Guiraud.

From BBC

Related Words

• aide
• appointee
• commissioner
• delegate
• minister
• representative