What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
surrogate
Example
The CEO appointed a surrogate to attend the meeting on his behalf. [surrogate: noun]
Example
The surrogate mother gave birth to a healthy baby boy. [surrogate: adjective]
proxy
Example
I gave my friend proxy to sign the lease agreement on my behalf. [proxy: noun]
Example
The board of directors voted by proxy at the annual meeting. [proxy: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Proxy is more commonly used than surrogate in legal and corporate contexts, while surrogate is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between surrogate and proxy?
Proxy is generally considered more formal than surrogate, as it is primarily used in legal and corporate contexts.
