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

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Etymology

Origin of diplomat

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

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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

"If anything the US will turn even more inwards and focus on the domestic political fight between the White House and the Congress," a third diplomat said.

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

The U.S. expelled a Cuban diplomat after the island country’s foreign minister loudly interrupted an address by U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

Former prominent diplomat Liu Jianchao, who disappeared from public view in July last year, was also named among those who have been purged.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

Months later, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini flew home from exile outside Paris on a chartered Air France plane arranged, according to a French diplomat, by the French government.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

The greatest American scientist, the most deft diplomat, the most accomplished prose stylist, the sharpest wit, Franklin defied all the categories by inhabiting them all with such distinction and nonchalant grace.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Multiple diplomats have previously said they do not expect the midterms to impact the result.

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

Instead, the dominant mood among the Middle East diplomats, defense officials and experts assembled last weekend was fear over the consequences of another bout of U.S.-Iran fighting.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026

The U.S. has a number of times in the past ordered Cuban diplomats out of the country but usually after accusations of spying.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

With between 430,000 and 480,000 absentee ballots from soldiers and diplomats yet to be counted, it could still take a day or two for the final election results to emerge.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

There were diplomats and all sorts of influential people.

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah

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Related Words

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

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