deputy
gb/dˈɛpjuti/ us/dˈɛpjuti/
A2
English
~ 2000
helyettes, seriffhelyettes
NOUN
B1
1
helyettes
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is/was appointed deputy
The deputy took over the meeting while the manager was away.
A helyettes vezette le a megbeszélést, amíg a vezető távol volt.
She was promoted to deputy director last year.
Tavaly igazgatóhelyettessé léptették elő.
As deputy mayor, he often attends events on behalf of the mayor.
The deputy will sign the documents in the principal's absence.
He served as deputy head of the department for five years.
Learner examples
The deputy spoke at the meeting.
A helyettes felszólalt a megbeszélésen.
My father is the deputy head at his school.
Apám igazgatóhelyettes az iskolájában.
The deputy helped when the boss was away.
She is deputy to the mayor.
The deputy signed the paper.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'deputy' with 'assistant', but a deputy usually has authority to act in place of someone, not just help them.
Meaning
Person acting for a superior
Collocations
deputy manager
|deputy director
|deputy prime minister
|deputy head
|deputy mayor
Synonyms
assistant (Implies a helper role but not necessarily full authority to act in place of the superior.)
|
substitute (General term for someone who takes another's place, not always in official positions.)
Antonyms
superior (Refers to the higher-ranking person whom the deputy assists or replaces.)
Themes
government
|work
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person chosen to do the job of a higher person when they are not there.
A person who is appointed to take the place of another, especially someone in a position of authority.
NOUN
A2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] works as a deputy
The sheriff sent two deputies to investigate the crime scene.
A seriff két seriffhelyettest küldött a bűnügyi helyszín kivizsgálására.
A deputy arrested the suspect early this morning.
Egy seriffhelyettes ma kora reggel őrizetbe vette a gyanúsítottat.
Deputies patrolled the rural areas of the county.
She became the first female deputy in her town.
The deputy responded quickly to the emergency call.
Learner examples
The deputy caught the thief.
A seriffhelyettes elkapta a tolvajt.
Two deputies work in our town.
Két seriffhelyettes dolgozik a városunkban.
The sheriff and his deputies keep us safe.
A deputy drives a police car.
I saw a deputy at the store.
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'deputy' in this context means any police officer, but it specifically refers to one serving under a sheriff, usually in the U.S.
Meaning
Sheriff's assistant officer
Collocations
county deputy
|sheriff's deputy
|deputy sheriff
Synonyms
officer (General term for someone in law enforcement; 'deputy' specifies rank and role.)
Antonyms
sheriff (The elected or appointed chief officer whom the deputy serves under.)
Themes
law
|security
|work
Definition
A police officer who works for a sheriff.
A law enforcement officer who works under and has authority from a sheriff.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deputy
IPA
GB/dˈɛpjuti/
US/dˈɛpjuti/
Syllables & stress
deputy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (deputy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: deputy
- Plural: deputies
Word family
Forms
deputies
noun
Core family
deputize
verb
Advanced or less common
deputation
noun
Expressions
deputy director
1/dˈɛpjuti dɪɹˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
Second-in-command after director
The person who helps and can replace the director of an organization.
Examples
- The deputy director chaired the meeting while the director was abroad.
- She has been promoted to deputy director of marketing.
deputy prime minister
1/dˈɛpjuti pɹˈaɪm mˈɪnɪstɚ/
fixed phrase
Second-highest government minister
The second most important person in a government, after the prime minister.
Examples
- The deputy prime minister will attend the summit in place of the prime minister.
- She was appointed deputy prime minister after years of service.
sheriff's deputy
1/ʃˈɛɹɪfs dˈɛpjuti/
fixed phrase
Officer under sheriff
A police officer who works for a sheriff.
Examples
- A sheriff's deputy pulled over the speeding car.
- The sheriff's deputies worked together to catch the suspect.