# deuteragonist

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌduː.təˈɹæɡ.ə.nɪst/

## Definitions
1. A secondary character; specifically, the second most important character (after the protagonist).
2. An actor playing a role (potentially all roles) requiring a second actor to be present on the stage, opposite the protagonist.

## Etymology
From Ancient Greek δευτεραγωνιστής (deuteragōnistḗs, literally “second actor”), originally in Greek drama, from ἀγωνιστής (agōnistḗs, “a combatant, pleader, actor”).
By surface analysis, deuter- (“second”) + agonist (“combatant, participant”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/deuteragonist