diplomat

American  

[dip-luh-mat] / ˈdɪp ləˌmæt /

noun

• diplomats
  plural

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.

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diplomat British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• diplomats
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of diplomat

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

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Explanation

A diplomat is a person who helps people who have differing points of view find common ground. In government, a diplomat is an official who represents his or her country in other nations. The noun diplomat is related to the word diploma, from the Greek diploun, meaning “to fold double.” A diploma is an official paper — something diplomats carry on behalf of their governments. They know about all sides of an issue, which is helpful in times of conflict. You are a diplomat, if caught between Yankees and Red Sox fans, you get them to talk about hockey instead.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

diplomat diplomats

His father, an investment banker and reserve Army officer, later served as a U.S. diplomat, helped run the Marshall Plan after World War II and was undersecretary of the Army.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

The diplomat also questioned whether elections would take place in December and said a postponement remained possible.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

On Friday, former US diplomat Dr Richard Haass told BBC News NI that Northern Ireland had "failed" to come to terms with the legacy of its past.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Growing up with diplomat parents, Martens lived in communist countries such as Romania and Burma, now also called Myanmar.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

Constantijn Huygens, a poet and diplomat of the time, remarked that the Town Hall dispelled “the Gothic squint and squalor.”

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Other options include new sanctions, expelling Russian diplomats or closing more of its embassies and consulates in Europe, and intercepting and boarding more vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet, officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

"Beyond the profound moral concerns, a public execution could hand terrorist organizations a propaganda victory, fuel radicalization, and put American service members, diplomats, and citizens overseas at greater risk," he wrote, external.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

Workers in the city’s financial district, students at some international schools and diplomats were ordered to evacuate or take shelter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

"As I announced, the British consulate in Jerusalem ended its role today," Saar said in a statement, adding that 20 diplomats including the consul general were ending their missions and leaving the country.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

As the guest of honor, Roosevelt led a parade of important politicians and diplomats down a wide boulevard dotted with palm trees.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

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Related Words

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

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