Deputy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈde-pyə-tē/ dep·u·ty

Meaning & Definition of Deputy

Deputy (noun)

  1. a person appointed as a substitute with power to act
  2. a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge in the absence of a superior —often used before another noun
  3. a member of the lower house of some legislative assemblies

Deputy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who acts or does business for another

    "the club president sent a deputy to the conference to vote on our behalf"

    similar: agent, assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, envoy, factor, minister, procurator, proxy, rep, representative
    related: ambassador, diplomat, diplomatist, emissary, foreign minister, legate, plenipotentiary, alternate, backup, pinch hitter, relief, replacement, stand-in, sub, substitute, surrogate, understudy, informer, operative, spy, broker, distributor, manager, arbiter, arbitrator, comprador, conciliator, go-between, intercessor, intermediary, interposer, liaison, mediator, middleman, peacemaker, mouthpiece, point man, point person, prophet, speaker, spokesman, spokesperson

  2. a person who helps a more skilled person

    "a deputy supervisor to help out with routine tasks"

    similar: adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, apprentice, assistant, coadjutor, helper, helpmate, helpmeet, lieutenant, mate, sidekick
    related: attendant, handmaiden, maid, maidservant, scullion, servant, auxiliary, legman, subordinate, underling, employee, hand, help, hireling, laborer, swamper, worker, gal Friday, girl Friday, man Friday, right hand, aide-de-camp

Deputy (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in assistant, junior

    similar: assistant, assisting, coadjutor, junior, under, ancillary, inferior, last, less, lesser, lower, lowly, second, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary
    opposite: chief, commanding, first, foremost, head, high, lead, leading, preeminent, premier, presiding, primary, prime, principal, supereminent, supreme, top, high-level, senior, controlling, directing, managing, officiating, overseeing, regnant, reigning, ruling, supervisory

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Deputy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Deputy:

agent, assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, envoy, factor, minister, procurator, proxy, rep, representative, adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, apprentice, assistant, coadjutor, helper, helpmate, helpmeet, lieutenant, mate, sidekick, assisting, junior, under, ancillary, inferior, last, less, lesser, lower, lowly, second, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Deputy

Words with the opposite meaning of Deputy:

chief, commanding, first, foremost, head, high, lead, leading, preeminent, premier, presiding, primary, prime, principal, supereminent, supreme, top, high-level, senior, controlling, directing, managing, officiating, overseeing, regnant, reigning, ruling, supervisory

Related Words for Deputy

ambassador, diplomat, diplomatist, emissary, foreign minister, legate, plenipotentiary, alternate, backup, pinch hitter, relief, replacement, stand-in, sub, substitute, surrogate, understudy, informer, operative, spy, broker, distributor, manager, arbiter, arbitrator, comprador, conciliator, go-between, intercessor, intermediary

Word Forms of Deputy

Inflections: deputies

Origin & Etymology of Deputy

Middle English, from Anglo-French deputé, past participle of deputer

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Deputy

Frequently Asked Questions about Deputy

What does "Deputy" mean?

"Deputy" means a person appointed as a substitute with power to act. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Deputy"?

Other words for "Deputy" include agent, assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, envoy, factor and minister. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Deputy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Deputy"?

There are 102 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Deputy". Common alternatives include agent, assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, envoy, factor, minister, procurator and proxy.

What is the opposite of "Deputy"?

Antonyms of "Deputy" include chief, commanding, first, foremost, head, high, lead and leading.

How do you use "Deputy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Deputy" in a sentence: "the club president sent a deputy to the conference to vote on our behalf"; "a deputy supervisor to help out with routine tasks".

Is "Deputy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Deputy" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Deputy" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Deputy" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Deputy"?

"Deputy" is pronounced /ˈde-pyə-tē/ and divided into syllables as dep·u·ty.