noun / adjective
surrogate
SUR-uh-gut/sˈɝʌɡʌt/
Someone or something acting in place of another.
A surrogate takes over the class as the regular teacher leaves.
Etymology
The pieces convey proposing someone in another's place. A surrogate was originally an officially appointed deputy, especially for a bishop or judge; the meaning broadened to any substitute person or thing.
In context
I was born via surrogate. A surrogate carried me.
More examples
- Her aunt becomes a surrogate parent while her mother works overseas.
- They ask a surrogate to carry their baby.
- The researchers use this measurement as a surrogate for overall health.
Forms
surrogate · surrogates
surrogacy noun — The practice of carrying someone else's pregnancy.
Similar words
- substitute
- A general replacement, without necessarily acting on someone's behalf.
- proxy
- Someone authorized to represent another, especially in decisions or voting.