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

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

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

"The emissary, Félix Plasencia, would be the first representative of the country's ruling political movement, known as chavismo, to visit the American capital in an official capacity in years," the newspaper wrote.

From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2026

Trump had chosen Witkoff to be his emissary on the Middle East, so the request must have come as a surprise.

From Slate ● Dec. 22, 2025

Kang gave no other details of the technique; nor did the emissary request any.

From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park

Unlike many other Western countries, Israel requires voters to cast ballots in person, with exceptions for diplomats, emissaries and some soldiers abroad.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 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

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

Vance and Rubio gave no quarter, and the two emissaries were forced to return home with nothing more than a promise for a “working group,” which means nothing.

From Salon ● Jan. 18, 2026

She looked up at the ravens and imagined they were his emissaries.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

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Related Words

• envoy
• go-between
• intermediary
• messenger

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