noun

delegate

DEH-lih-guht

noun

Someone chosen to represent others, especially at a meeting or conference.

"Each country sent a delegate to the climate summit."

"She was elected as the union's delegate for the regional talks."

verb

To hand off a task or responsibility to someone else, usually someone junior.

"A good manager knows how to delegate tasks rather than doing everything herself."

"He delegated the budget review to his assistant."

How to Use Delegate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a person sent to represent others, or the act of passing a task on to someone else.

Common mistake

As a verb it's stressed on the last syllable (deh-luh-GATE); as a noun, on the first (DEH-luh-guht).

Common pairings

delegate authority delegate a task union delegate

delegated past tense, delegates plural, delegates singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Each country sent a _____ to the climate summit.

From Latin delegatus, "sent" or "assigned" — related to "legate," an official envoy.

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