proxy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proxy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you refer to a person or entity authorized to act on behalf of another, often in legal, technical, or business settings. Example: "To access the restricted website, you need to configure your browser to use a proxy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"All parliamentarians carry the people's proxy in terms of fulfilling their obligations to properly represent their constituents.

The Guardian

"First thing in the morning, we'd come in, turn on a proxy server to hide our real location, and then read the technical tasks we had been sent," he said.

The Guardian

Abbott does want to lock in a "business as usual approach", where the coal and mining lobby runs his government by proxy.

The Guardian

A proxy can mask your online activity by relaying data (accessed through your browser) via a server in a different location, thus obfuscating the source of your original requests.

The Guardian - Tech

Under Saudi, Qatari and US leadership, and with British, French and Israeli approval, it has turned into an anti-Iranian proxy war.

The Guardian - Opinion

Trailertrash Summer Barn Dance Hearn St Car Park, London, Saturday Indie rockers the Proxy are live at this warehouse party, with ample electro, disco and techno support from Hannah Holland and more.

The Guardian

Nonetheless, this proxy row matters in its own right.

The Guardian - Opinion

Every non-executive member of McDonald's board is listed on past proxy statements as currently having or having had a relationship to a company with business ties to the global burger giant.

The Guardian - Business

"Sometimes they [a gang] think it will have a really detrimental effect but actually the boys are not bothered, usually it's about punishing girls directly rather than boys by proxy.

The Guardian

Nor did Austin offer additional detail about training a Syrian proxy force, a task he said the US can "hopefully" achieve "to help us in Syria, when we get to that piece".

The Guardian

He said: "Sending troops to fight in a Yemeni civil war, which is now also a Middle East proxy war, would be folly of the highest order.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, clearly define the relationship between the "proxy" and the entity it represents to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid confusing "proxy", which means acting on behalf of someone or something, with "proximity", which refers to closeness or nearness. Ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "proxy" serves as a versatile term, functioning as a noun (an agent or substitute), a verb (to serve as a proxy), or an adjective (used as a proxy). Ludwig AI indicates that the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "proxy" is a versatile word that functions as a noun, verb, or adjective, primarily denoting representation or substitution. It is considered grammatically sound, as indicated by Ludwig AI, and sees frequent use across various contexts, especially in news, business, and technical domains. While "proxy" is widely accepted, it's important to differentiate it from terms like "proximity" to ensure accurate communication. Consider alternative terms like "representative" or "substitute" to refine meaning based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Representative

Focuses on the act of standing in for someone or something else.

Substitute

Emphasizes the replacement of one thing with another.

Agent

Highlights the role of acting on behalf of another party.

Deputy

Suggests a subordinate acting with delegated authority.

Stand-in

Implies a temporary replacement or surrogate.

Surrogate

Emphasizes the idea of taking the place of another.

Figurehead

Highlights a person who appears to lead but has no real power.

Placeholder

Indicates something that temporarily occupies a position.

Intermediary

Focuses on facilitating communication or action between parties.

Front

Suggests a deceptive or concealed role.

FAQs

How can I use "proxy" in a sentence?

You can use "proxy" to describe someone authorized to act for another, as in "He voted by "proxy"". It can also refer to a server that acts as an intermediary, such as "Use a "proxy server" to hide your IP address".

What is a common mistake when using "proxy"?

A common mistake is confusing "proxy" with "proximity". "Proxy" refers to representation or substitution, while "proximity" indicates nearness or closeness. For example, "He acted as a "proxy" for the CEO" is different from "The building's "proximity" to the station is convenient".

What are some alternatives to the word "proxy"?

Alternatives to "proxy" include "representative", "substitute", or "agent", depending on the context. For example, instead of "He voted by proxy", you could say "He used a "representative" to vote".

What does "proxy war" mean?

A "proxy war" is a conflict where opposing sides use third parties as substitutes instead of fighting each other directly. This often involves supporting different factions within a country. For example, "The conflict in Syria is seen as a "proxy war" between regional powers".