diplomat

[dip-luh-mat]

See more synonyms for diplomat on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person appointed by a national government to conduct official negotiations and maintain political, economic, and social relations with another country or countries.
a person who is tactful and skillful in managing delicate situations, handling people, etc.

Origin of diplomat

1805–15; < French diplomate, back formation from diplomatique diplomatic

Can be confuseddiplomat diplomate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for diplomat

Contemporary Examples

His plan was to one day become a diplomat, but he was losing faith in the idea of international policy as a career path.
DJ Spooky Wants You To Question Everything You Know About Music, Technology, and Philosophy
Oliver Jones
December 27, 2014
“That would fit into the Kremlin narrative,” says the diplomat.
Ukraine Militias Warn of Anti-Kiev Coup
Jamie Dettmer
November 28, 2014
He was a diplomat, New York governor, and vice president of the United States.
This Republican Loved Taxes & Modern Art
Scott Porch
November 19, 2014
A U.S. diplomat once spoke with bitterness of the breadth of his power when negotiating with an uncooperative dictator.
This Is Obama’s U.N. Plan to Choke Off ISIS’s Recruits
Kimberly Dozier
September 22, 2014
The diplomat said his words were an attempt “not to allow violence and escalation.”
Tension With Russia Boils Over in Kiev
Anna Nemtsova
June 15, 2014

Historical Examples

Yates was naturally too much of a diplomat to begin awkwardly.
In the Midst of Alarms
Robert Barr
His talents as a diplomat, such as they were, were needed continually.
Fair Harbor
Joseph Crosby Lincoln
But your Majesty knows me as a blunt man, when I serve him not as diplomat, but as friend.
The Princess Virginia
C. N. Williamson
I have no delicatesse as a diplomat, but I go blind on Libertad!
The Battle of the Bays
Owen Seaman
Hillard understood this pantomime; the diplomat had been a share-holder.
The Lure of the Mask
Harold MacGrath

British Dictionary definitions for diplomat

diplomat

noun

an official, such as an ambassador or first secretary, engaged in diplomacy
a person who deals with people tactfully or skilfully

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for diplomat

n.

1813, from French diplomate, a back-formation from diplomatique (see diplomatic) on model of aristocrate from aristocratique.

diplomat

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}diplomat

Examples from the Web for diplomat

Contemporary Examples

His plan was to one day become a diplomat, but he was losing faith in the idea of international policy as a career path.

“That would fit into the Kremlin narrative,” says the diplomat.

He was a diplomat, New York governor, and vice president of the United States.

A U.S. diplomat once spoke with bitterness of the breadth of his power when negotiating with an uncooperative dictator.

The diplomat said his words were an attempt “not to allow violence and escalation.”

Historical Examples

Yates was naturally too much of a diplomat to begin awkwardly.

His talents as a diplomat, such as they were, were needed continually.

But your Majesty knows me as a blunt man, when I serve him not as diplomat, but as friend.

I have no delicatesse as a diplomat, but I go blind on Libertad!

Hillard understood this pantomime; the diplomat had been a share-holder.

diplomat

Word Origin and History for diplomat

n.

Origin of diplomat