diplomat
DIP-luh-mat
/ˈdɪpləmæt/
An official representing a country abroad.
Implies tact, negotiation skills, and official appointment to carry out foreign policy.
The story behind the word. Derived from Greek 'diploma' meaning a folded paper or official credential given to travelers. Officials carrying these papers were known as diplomats because their authority rested on folded official documents.
Word relationships
- envoy: Envoy often refers to a messenger sent on a specific short-term mission.
- ambassador: An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat heading an embassy.
Commonly confused with
- bureaucrat: A bureaucrat handles domestic administrative procedures, whereas a diplomat represents state interests abroad.
Word family
- diplomacy (noun): The profession or skill of managing international relations.
- diplomatic (adjective): Relating to diplomacy or tactful in dealing with people.
Collocations
- career diplomat
- senior diplomat
- expel a diplomat
- diplomat stationed abroad
Example sentences
- "The diplomat spent weeks negotiating the release of political hostages." Foreign affairs
- "As a veteran diplomat, she understood that subtlety often achieved more than public rhetoric." Diplomatic history
Memory hook
A DIPLOMAT holds a DIPLOMA of state business. DIPLOMAT uses DIPLOMACY to keep peace.
When not to use
Do not use for informal mediators in personal family arguments unless speaking metaphorically.
Fun facts
- The word 'diploma' originally meant a doubled or folded document, which is why both graduates and ambassadors hold one!
Explore more words
diplomacy, diplomatic, negotiate, statecraft, negotiation, tact
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