Diplomat

How it is used

Covers everyone from a junior third secretary to an ambassador. News reports quote anonymous sources as 'a senior diplomat' or 'diplomats familiar with the talks'. Careers are described with 'career diplomat' and 'join the diplomatic service'.

Example sentences

1. A senior diplomat told reporters that the talks would continue next week.

2. He is a career diplomat who has served in five countries.

3. Diplomats from both sides met quietly in a third country.

Common collocations

• career diplomat
• senior diplomat
• junior diplomat
• expel a diplomat
• accredited diplomat

Related terms

• diplomacyThe work of managing relations between countries through talks, agreements and official contacts rather than force; also the skill of dealing with people tactfully.
• ambassadorThe highest-ranking diplomat who represents their country in another country or at an international organisation, usually as head of an embassy or permanent mission.
• embassyThe main official mission of one country in another country's capital, led by an ambassador; also the building where this mission works.
• diplomatic immunityThe legal protection that diplomats have in the country where they serve, which means they cannot be arrested or prosecuted there.
• attachéA member of an embassy's staff who specialises in a particular area, such as defence, trade, culture or press; in many foreign services also the most junior diplomatic rank.

More terms: Diplomacy & Embassies

• consulate
• foreign ministry
• diplomatic relations
• envoy
• protocol
• public diplomacy
• persona non grata
• chargé d'affaires
• credentials