diplomat

[ dip-luh-mat ]

noun

1. a person appointed by a national government to conduct official negotiations and maintain political, economic, and social relations with another country or countries.
2. a person who is tactful and skillful in managing delicate situations, handling people, etc.

diplomat

/ ˈdɪpləˌmæt /

noun

1. an official, such as an ambassador or first secretary, engaged in diplomacy
2. a person who deals with people tactfully or skilfully

Word History and Origins

Origin of diplomat¹

First recorded in 1805–15; from French diplomate, back formation from diplomatique diplomatic

Example Sentences

In the meantime, however, diplomats and analysts worry Israel will ratchet up the bloodshed in both conflicts, operating in the political vacuum as the U.S. changes administrations.

From Los Angeles Times

"I don't think it will be decisive," a Western diplomat in Kyiv told the BBC, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

From BBC

Neither Rubio nor Mike Waltz, who was nominated to be Trump's national security advisor, sparked giddy enthusiasm, but as one European diplomat put it to Politico: "They are a bit less awful than others."

From Salon

It is unclear whether Musk was meeting with the diplomat on behalf of the president-elect.

From Salon

His nomination for secretary of state - America’s most senior diplomat - Marco Rubio, has described China as the “most advanced adversary America has ever faced”.

From BBC

Related Words

• agent
• envoy
• expert
• mediator
• minister
• negotiator
• representative