emissary

American  

[em-uh-ser-ee] / ˈɛm əˌsɛr i /

noun

• emissaries
  plural

1. a representative sent on a mission or errand.

   emissaries to negotiate a peace.

   Synonyms:

   legate, envoy, ambassador, delegate

2. an agent sent on a mission of a secret nature, as a spy.

3. Anatomy. sending or coming out, as certain veins that pass through the skull and connect the venous sinuses inside with the veins outside.

4. pertaining to an emissary.

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adjective

1. Archaic. sent forth, as on a mission.

emissary British  

/ ˈɛmɪsərɪ, -ɪsrɪ /

noun

1. 1. an agent or messenger sent on a mission, esp one who represents a government or head of state

   2. ( as modifier )

      an emissary delegation

2. an agent sent on a secret mission, as a spy

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adjective

1. (of veins) draining blood from sinuses in the dura mater to veins outside the skull

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• emissaries
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of emissary

1595–1605; < Latin ēmissārius one sent out, equivalent to ēmiss- ( see emission) + -ārius -ary

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Explanation

When presidents can’t attend state funerals, they send an emissary to pay their respects. An emissary performs a specific job on someone else’s behalf. Emissary is a word you hear often around governments, but anyone can be one or have one. Say, if you’re feeling too lazy to get off the couch you could appoint your little sister to be your emissary in fetching ice cream from the kitchen.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

emissary emissaries

On one occasion, the Powhatans seized an emissary from Jamestown.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

The mob’s actions are frustrating because they’re religiously bound to the king, who they believe is an emissary of God, and desperate to change their day-to-day existence.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Rumors are aswirl that Trump’s son-in-law and Middle East emissary Jared Kushner played a big role.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026

Instead, US envoy Steve Witkoff headed to Switzerland to get the talks back on track, American media outlets reported, with fellow Trump emissary Jared Kushner also expected there.

From Barron's ● Jun. 20, 2026

"Get it!" the emissary shouted at the soldiers.

From "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin

Furthermore, talks with the emissaries of Venezuela’s new government haven’t been as fruitful as Exxon had hoped, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

The White House said emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would engage in an "in-person conversation" with Iranian representatives, but Iranian state media said that direct negotiations were not in the cards.

From Barron's ● Apr. 25, 2026

The positioning of BTS as emissaries for Korea is clear, but also, comes with a lot of pressure.

From Salon ● Mar. 27, 2026

There is only Trump and his two emissaries, fellow real-estate tycoon Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

From Slate ● Feb. 19, 2026

One such evening Burnham led a tour of the fair aboard an electric launch for a group that included John Root’s widow, Dora, and a number of foreign emissaries.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

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Related Words

• envoy
• go-between
• intermediary
• messenger

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