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

Etymology

Origin of diplomat

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

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

“The rhetoric was ferocious, but the punch less so,” said Daniel Fried, a former U.S. diplomat now at the Atlantic Council.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

Ivonne A-Baki, 75, is an Ecuadoran diplomat and politician who represented Quito as ambassador to Washington where she was seen as forging close ties with US President Donald Trump.

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

Foucher, 65, has been serving as his country's top diplomat in Bangui since 2023.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

France has summoned the American ambassador to Paris after the diplomat, Charles Kushner, wrote a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron accusing the country of not doing enough to combat antisemitism.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

The young Marylander was an energetic diplomat and thought he could get a deal made.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

The Iranian foreign ministry on Monday said it had informed France that the two French diplomats would not be allowed to return to Iran.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

Mediators in the talks said Iranian diplomats agreed early in the month on a deal with Oman to set up and oversee routes through Hormuz that would lead to the gradual reopening of the strait.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

There’s a culture at the time of lavish gift-giving to diplomats and foreign officials, and he’s just terrified that officers of the United States will be beholden and influenced by foreigners.

From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2026

U.S. diplomats have broad authority to cancel visas without providing explanations to affected foreign citizens.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

He had dreamed of being an interpreter for diplomats and dignitaries, resolving conflicts between people and nations, settling disputes of which he alone could understand both sides.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

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