An envoy is someone who is sent as a representative from one government or political group to another.
2. countable noun
An envoy is a diplomat in an embassy who is immediately below the ambassador in rank.
More Synonyms of envoy
envoy in British English1
(ˈɛnvɔɪ)
noun
1. Formal name: envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
a diplomat of the second class, ranking between an ambassador and a minister resident
2.
an accredited messenger, agent, or representative
Derived forms
envoyship (ˈenvoyship)
noun
Word origin
C17: from French envoyé, literally: sent, from envoyer to send, from Vulgar Latin inviāre (unattested) to send on a journey, from in-2 + via road
envoy in British English2
or envoi (ˈɛnvɔɪ)
noun
1.
a brief dedicatory or explanatory stanza concluding certain forms of poetry, notably ballades
2.
a postscript in other forms of verse or prose
Word origin
C14: from Old French envoye, from envoyer to send; see envoy1
envoy in American English1
(ˈɑnˌvɔɪ; ˈɛnvɔɪ)
noun
1.
a messenger; agent
2.
an agent sent by a government or ruler to transact diplomatic business; specif., a diplomat (envoy extraordinary) ranking just below an ambassador
Word origin
Fr envoyé < pp. of envoyer, to send < OFr envoier < en- (L in), in + voie (L via: see via), way
envoy in American English2
(ˈɑnˌvɔɪ; ˈɛnvɔɪ)
noun
a postscript to a poem, essay, or book, containing a dedication, climactic summary, explanation, etc.; specif., a short, concluding stanza of this kind added to a ballade and some other verse forms
Word origin
ME envoye < OFr envoy, lit., a sending < envoier: see envoy1
Examples of 'envoy' in a sentence
envoy
He is made Middle East peace envoy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We need our trade envoy to be squeaky clean.
The Sun (2011)
One of the ringleaders is expected to be offered a trade envoy role.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But his tenure as special trade envoy has not been a success.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Moscow expelled four British envoys in retaliation.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He had known for some time where his detention of the British envoys would lead.
Philip Marsden The Barefoot Emperor: An Ethiopian Tragedy (2007)
It has been a busy week in which she has reinvented herself as an international peace envoy and set aside the day job.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There may also be a case for a modest reduction in the number of ministers and special envoys - another growth area in recent years.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
British envoys in Washington are not asked to pay American taxes.
The Sun (2006)
It becomes a Middle East peace envoy.
The Sun (2014)
Has anyone seen anything of our Middle East peace envoy?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This year the Conservatives have their newly appointed trade union envoy attending the TUC.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The PM also announced eight new trade envoys and an 8 million project to help smaller firms set up abroad.
The Sun (2012)
In other languages
envoy
British English: envoy NOUN
An envoy is someone who is sent as a representative from one government or political group to another.
He was a presidential envoy on a special mission to Latin America.
American English: envoy
Brazilian Portuguese: enviado
Chinese: 使者
European Spanish: enviado
French: envoyé
German: Gesandte
Italian: inviato
Japanese: 使節
Korean: 외교 사절
European Portuguese: enviado
Latin American Spanish: enviado
Chinese translation of 'envoy'
envoy
(ˈɛnvɔɪ)
n(c)
(= diplomat) 使者 (shǐzhě) (名, míng)
1 (noun)
Definition
a diplomat ranking next below an ambassador
A French envoy arrived in Beirut on Sunday.
Synonyms
ambassador
the German ambassador to Poland
minister
He concluded a deal with the Danish minister in Washington.
diplomat
the senior American diplomat responsible for the Middle East
emissary
legate
Pope Innocent VI's legate
plenipotentiary
the British Plenipotentiary to the UN Conference
2 (noun)
Definition
a messenger or representative
the Secretary General's personal envoy
Synonyms
messenger
The document is to be sent by messenger.
agent
You are buying direct, rather than through an agent.
deputy
France's minister for culture and his deputy attended the meeting.
representative
trade union representatives
delegate
The rebels' chief delegate repeated their demands.
courier
The documents were delivered by a private courier.
intermediary
She wanted him to act as an intermediary in the dispute.
emissary
the President's special emissary to Hanoi
Additional synonyms
in the sense of agent
Definition
a person who arranges business for other people, esp. for actors or singers
You are buying direct, rather than through an agent.
Synonyms
representative,
deputy,
substitute,
advocate,
rep (informal),
broker,
delegate,
factor (Scottish),
negotiator,
envoy,
trustee,
proxy,
surrogate,
go-between,
emissary
in the sense of courier
Definition
a person paid to deliver urgent messages
The documents were delivered by a private courier.
Synonyms
messenger,
runner,
carrier,
bearer,
herald,
envoy,
emissary,
pursuivant (archaic)
in the sense of delegate
Definition
a person chosen to represent others at a conference or meeting
The rebels' chief delegate repeated their demands.