chargé d'affaires

American  

[shahr-zhey duh-fair, shahr-zhey, shar-zhey da-fer] / ʃɑrˈʒeɪ dəˈfɛər, ˈʃɑr ʒeɪ, ʃar ʒeɪ daˈfɛr /

noun

Government.

plural

chargés d'affaires

1. Also called chargé d'affaires ad interim.  an official placed in charge of diplomatic business during the temporary absence of the ambassador or minister.

2. an envoy to a state to which a diplomat of higher grade is not sent.

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chargé d'affaires British  

/ ˈʃɑːʒeɪ dæˈfɛə, ʃarʒe dafɛr /

noun

1. the temporary head of a diplomatic mission in the absence of the ambassador or minister

2. the head of a diplomatic mission of the lowest level

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Etymology

Origin of chargé d'affaires

1760–70; < French: literally, one in charge of things

Example Sentences

The US charge d'affaires -- the ambassador's de facto deputy -- attended that meeting.

From Barron's

A photo posted by the embassy showed Wright on the tarmac at Maiquetia International Airport, which serves the capital Caracas, accompanied by the new US charge d'affaires in Venezuela, Laura Dogu.

From Barron's

As Petro was traveling to Washington, Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s interim president, met with U.S. chargé d’affaires Laura Dogu to talk about the future.

From Salon

Her new position as chargé d’affaires augments a career that includes senior roles in hostage recovery for the FBI and as ambassador to Nicaragua and Honduras during periods characterized by social and political volatility.

From Los Angeles Times

She takes over from John McNamara, who had served as chargé d’affaires since February 2025 and traveled to Venezuela in January to discuss the potential reopening of the embassy.

From Los Angeles Times