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

“I always give credit to my predecessors,” the conductor, ever the diplomat, said of the present state of his ensemble.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

Ethiopia also expelled an Egyptian diplomat without explanation, prompting a reciprocal move by Cairo.

From Barron's ● 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

Kritenbrink, who spent over 30 years as a US diplomat, mostly in Asia, says personal relationships are of particular importance to Xi.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

Only then did I understand where the shame had come from: it wasn’t that I hadn’t studied in a marble conservatory, or that my father wasn’t a diplomat.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

"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

Both Saar and British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said that a small team of diplomats would remain at the building, though it will be stripped of its consular name.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Earlier this month, Ethiopia expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats and shut its embassy in Asmara, while Eritrea responded that it would "sever all diplomatic ties".

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

It also repeated a warning for foreign citizens, including diplomats, to leave Kyiv.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Thanks to her, America’s spy handlers enjoyed highly secure communication links—far safer, for instance, than those used by America’s diplomats.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

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