What does the prefix vice- mean?
Vice- comes from the Latin vice, which means "in place of". It shows someone who holds the second rank and can act in place of the main holder if needed.
ESEN
Prefix · substitute / second in rank
vice-
Signals the person who holds second rank or can act in place of the first: vice-president, viceroy.
Literary
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
Vice- in today's job titles, and the word vice
Today vice- is used in hierarchies of companies, governments, schools and sports teams, always to name the second in the position. Careful: in English vice also exists as a word on its own, with a different meaning, which is a bad habit. Context tells you which is which: if it is attached to a job title, it is the prefix; if it stands alone, it is the habit.
How it is used
Attaches to titles and positions:
- vice- + political/executive positionpresident → vice-presidentchancellor → vice-chancelloradmiral → vice-admiralconsul → vice-consul
- vice- + historical/special positionroy → viceroyprincipal → vice-principalcaptain → vice-captainrector → vice-rector
Pronunciation: /vaɪs/. Always written with a hyphen. Not to be confused with "vice" (noun) = a bad habit or moral failing.
How it is pronounced
vice-/vaɪs/
Tap the button to hear how the prefix sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Root word
With vice-
In a phrase
- presidentvice-presidentThe vice-president assumed office after the head of state resigned.
- royviceroyThe viceroy of India governed the subcontinent on behalf of the Crown.
- chancellorvice-chancellorThe vice-chancellor announced a new scholarship for first-generation students.
- admiralvice-admiralThe vice-admiral took command after the admiral was recalled to the capital.
- captainvice-captainWhen the captain got injured, the vice-captain stepped up to lead.
- consulvice-consulThe vice-consul handled routine visa matters while the consul met clients.
- principalvice-principalThe vice-principal met with parents to discuss the schoolyard incident.
Common mistakes
vice- (prefix) and vice (noun) mean the same thing in English
"vice-" (prefix) = second in rank; "vice" (noun) = a bad habit or moral failing
In English, "vice" as a noun means a bad habit or moral fault: "Smoking is his only vice." As a prefix (always hyphenated): "vice-president" = second in rank. Context and sentence position make the difference clear.
viceroy = vice + royal (the adjective)
viceroy = vice (in place of) + roy (from Old French "roi" = king, from Latin "rex") = one who rules in place of the king
"Viceroy" comes from vice- (in place of) + "roi" (Old French for king, from Latin "rex"). A viceroy governed a colony or province on behalf of a king. Viceroys governed colonies, such as parts of the Americas and India, on behalf of European crowns.
A trick to remember it
Picture someone standing right next to the boss, ready to step in: vice- = second in command. vice-president.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"The ___ of India governed the subcontinent on behalf of the British Crown during the colonial period."
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
What is the difference between "vice-" (prefix) and "vice" (noun) in English?
Frequently asked questions
What does the prefix vice- mean in English?
The prefix vice- signals the person who holds second rank or can act in place of the first: vice-president, viceroy.
How do you pronounce vice-?
The prefix vice- is pronounced /vaɪs/. For example, "vice-president".
Can you give an example of a word with vice-?
"president" becomes "vice-president". It is a typical example of the vice- prefix.
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