English vocabulary · B2
Proxy
/ˈprɑk.si/ · n.
It means a person who acts for someone else.
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Example sentences
- She could not attend, so her brother voted as her proxy.
- The company sent a proxy to sign the deal.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- pro — on behalf of (from Latin)
- cure — care (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- substitute (standing in for someone temporarily)
- stand-in (taking another's place for a specific task)
- representative (acting on behalf of a group)
Words with the same root
cura — care
- secure — made safe and cared for — free from danger
- accurate — carefully done — exactly correct in every detail
- curator — a person who cares for a collection — a keeper of art or artifacts
Lesson notes
Proxy. It means a person who acts for someone else. You give your power to another person, and they speak or act in your place.
Similar words are substitute, stand-in, and representative. Use proxy when someone has the legal right to act for another person.
She could not attend, so her brother voted as her proxy. The company sent a proxy to sign the deal.
From Latin. Pro means on behalf of. Cure means care. Someone who cares for things on your behalf — that is your proxy.