lieutenant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, official, military, historical.
Quick answer
What does “lieutenant” mean?
A deputy or second-in-command, especially a junior officer in the armed forces ranking below a captain.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A deputy or second-in-command, especially a junior officer in the armed forces ranking below a captain.
A person who acts for a superior or holds a position of delegated authority, often in a civilian organization (e.g., lieutenant governor, police lieutenant). It can also denote a principal assistant or follower of someone in a cause.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The most prominent difference is pronunciation (see IPA). Spelling and rank insignia are identical, but the role and command structure can vary slightly between the US and UK armed forces.
Connotations
In both varieties, it strongly connotes military service, hierarchy, and duty. In civilian use (lieutenant governor), it is strictly an official title. The metaphorical use ('trusted lieutenant') has a slightly formal or journalistic tone.
Frequency
Equally frequent in military and official contexts in both regions. The civilian/metaphorical use is somewhat more common in US political/journalistic language.
Grammar
How to Use “lieutenant” in a Sentence
lieutenant of + [organization/unit]lieutenant to + [superior person]lieutenant in + [branch of service]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lieutenant” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard. The verb is obsolete/archaic.)
American English
- (Not standard. The verb is obsolete/archaic.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjectival use.)
American English
- (No standard adjectival use.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically for a CEO's second-in-command: 'He was the CEO's trusted lieutenant.'
Academic
Mostly in historical, political science, or military studies contexts discussing rank and structure.
Everyday
Limited. Primarily used when discussing military careers or in news about politics (lieutenant governor).
Technical
Specific and precise in military, naval, aviation, and police terminology, denoting exact rank and responsibilities.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lieutenant”
- Mispronouncing the UK version as 'loo-tenant'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'assistant' outside hierarchical contexts.
- Capitalizing it when not part of a formal title (e.g., 'He was promoted to lieutenant' not '...to Lieutenant').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The origin is uncertain but influential. It likely stems from Old French, where 'lieu' (place) and 'tenant' (holding) were sometimes spelled and pronounced with a 'v' or 'f' sound. This pronunciation became standard in the UK, while the spelling pronunciation prevailed in the US.
No. A lieutenant governor is the deputy to and second-in-command of a state/provincial governor, similar to a vice president. They succeed the governor if the position becomes vacant.
Yes, but formally. In police forces (e.g., US), 'lieutenant' is a rank. It's also used in official titles like 'Lord Lieutenant' (UK) and metaphorically for a key deputy in business or politics.
In the US Army/Marines/Air Force, 'second lieutenant' (2nd Lt.) is the most junior commissioned officer rank, and 'first lieutenant' (1st Lt.) is the next higher rank. A 2nd Lt. is often being groomed, while a 1st Lt. has more experience and responsibility.
A deputy or second-in-command, especially a junior officer in the armed forces ranking below a captain.
Lieutenant is usually formal, official, military, historical. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lord/Lady Lieutenant (UK: ceremonial county official)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The LIEU tenant holds authority in the LIEU (French for 'place') of the superior when they are absent. In the UK, they 'LEFT' the 'TENANT' in charge (playing on the 'lef-tenant' pronunciation).
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS HIERARCHY / A PERSON IS A POSITION IN A STRUCTURE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the primary role of a lieutenant?