diplomat
Americannoun
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a person appointed by a national government to conduct official negotiations and maintain political, economic, and social relations with another country or countries.
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a person who is tactful and skillful in managing delicate situations, handling people, etc.
noun
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an official, such as an ambassador or first secretary, engaged in diplomacy
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a person who deals with people tactfully or skilfully
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.
Vocabulary lists containing diplomat
English Words Derived from French, List 1
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Government
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"Why Exploring the Ocean Is Mankind's Next Giant Leap," Vocabulary from the commentary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
America's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, will visit the first US pope, Leo XIV, on Thursday, seeking to ease tensions between Washington and the Vatican while also promoting President Donald Trump's interests.
From Barron's • May 7, 2026
Despite the tensions, the pontiff rolled out the red carpet for Trump’s top diplomat.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026
Ralph Bunche, the Nobel Prize-winning diplomat and civil rights leader, connected the fight against American segregation to the broader struggle for human rights and peace around the world.
From Salon • May 5, 2026
They had orders to search the property as part of an investigation into a diplomat who used to work at the bank and was an associate of the late Jeffrey Epstein.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
The diplomat regarded himself as a staunch opponent of apartheid.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
