vice-minister

vice-minister

The vice-minister is presenting a report at the conference.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A deputy or assistant minister: A "vice-minister" is a government official ranking immediately below a minister, who assists in overseeing a ministry or government department. This position is common in many governmental systems, particularly in countries with a ministerial hierarchy.
Usage Examples
  • (The deputy minister responsible for education made an official statement.)
  • (She received a high-ranking position assisting the finance minister.)
  • (The deputy minister acted on behalf of the ministry at an event.)
Advanced Usage
  • "acting vice-minister": A temporary vice-minister who performs the duties of the minister in their absence.
    • During the minister's illness, the acting vice-minister took charge of all department affairs. (The temporary deputy assumed full authority.)
  • "vice-ministerial" (adj.): Relating to or characteristic of a vice-minister.
    • The vice-ministerial position requires extensive administrative experience. (The role of a deputy minister demands significant management skills.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Vice-ministry (n): The office or rank of a vice-minister.
    • He held the vice-ministry for trade for over a decade. (He occupied the deputy minister's role in the trade department.)
  • Vice-ministerial (adj): Pertaining to a vice-minister or the rank of vice-minister.
    • The vice-ministerial duties include coordinating policy implementation. (The tasks associated with being a deputy minister.)
Synonyms
  • Deputy minister: A direct synonym; an official who acts as a substitute or assistant to a minister.
  • Assistant minister: A synonym emphasizing the supportive role.
  • Under-secretary: A term used in some systems (e.g., the UK or US) for a similar role, though not always identical in rank.
Phrasal Verbs
  • Vice-minister over: (rare) To supervise or manage as a vice-minister.
    • He vice-ministered over the department's budget committee. (He oversaw the committee in his role as deputy minister.)
Related Idioms
  • Second in command: A phrase describing someone who is next in authority after the leader.
    • As vice-minister, she was second in command within the ministry. (She held the position directly below the minister.)
  • Right-hand person: A trusted assistant or deputy.
    • The minister relied on the vice-minister as his right-hand person for policy decisions. (The vice-minister was a key helper.)