envoy

1 of 2

noun (1)

en·​voy ˈen-ˌvȯi  ˈän- 

1

a

: a minister plenipotentiary accredited to a foreign government who ranks between an ambassador and a minister resident

called also envoy extraordinary

b

: a person delegated to represent one government in its dealings with another

2

: messenger, representative

envoy

2 of 2

noun (2)

en·​voy

variant spelling of envoi

: the usually explanatory or commendatory concluding remarks to a poem, essay, or book

especially : a short final stanza of a ballad serving as a summary or dedication

Synonyms of envoy

Noun (1)

• ambassador
• delegate
• representative
• minister

Examples of envoy in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the president sent the secretary of state as his personal envoy to gain the support of the country's allies

one of the hostage takers was chosen as the group's envoy for all dealings with the authorities

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, the UAE’s special envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Nature, called for an end to attacks on the Gulf in an editorial earlier this year. — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

To win effusive praise from special envoy Steve Witkoff and announce a resumption in negotiations, Russian President Vladimir Putin had to do very little. — Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

Special envoy Steve Witkoff praises President Vladimir Putin after Russia frees a retired American teacher. — David Hickey, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026

Her status as a special envoy expired last month without renewal, and she has now been moved to another role. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French envoyé, from past participle of envoyer to send, from Old French enveier

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

envoy

noun

en·​voy ˈen-ˌvȯi  ˈän- 

1

a

: a diplomatic representative who ranks between an ambassador and a minister

b

: a representative sent by one government to another

ambassadors and other envoys

2

: representative entry 2 sense 2, messenger