diplomat
Americannoun
-
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.
noun
-
an official, such as an ambassador or first secretary, engaged in diplomacy
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Government
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Why Exploring the Ocean Is Mankind's Next Giant Leap," Vocabulary from the commentary
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
"We are ready to hear the details of the proposal and how it would be implemented," said Cuba's top diplomat, Bruno Rodriguez, on social media.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
China's top diplomat urged Pakistan to step up mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, and help to "properly" address the reopening of the Hormuz strait, Chinese state media said.
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
Another reject was Huntington Wilson, a diplomat and an arrogant fellow who, when asked by Roosevelt if he played tennis, expressed a preference for golf instead.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
"Needham is running point" on Greenland, said a senior diplomat with knowledge of the talks, using a military idiom to describe Needham's leadership role.
From BBC • May 12, 2026
On one occasion, he was asked to translate Russian reports from a Soviet diplomat being recruited by the CIA in Bogotá, Colombia.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
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.
