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

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

One EU diplomat, speaking anonymously, said Knot was seen as the preferred candidate, as he was an experienced crisis manager and a good communicator.

From Barron's ● 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

Lana Nusseibeh, a diplomat from the United Arab Emirates, entered the race last week.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

Only then did I understand where the shame had come from: it wasn’t that I hadn’t studied in a marble conservatory, or that my father wasn’t a diplomat.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

Behind the scenes, regional diplomats are engaging in furious shuttle diplomacy to avert renewed fighting.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 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

Every Israeli citizen 18 years or over can vote and, with a few exceptions for diplomats and the military, must do so inside the country.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

He had dreamed of being an interpreter for diplomats and dignitaries, resolving conflicts between people and nations, settling disputes of which he alone could understand both sides.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

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Related Words

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

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