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

Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, senior envoy to Europe at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital on Thursday that the unrest began with legitimate concerns but has since evolved into something far more serious. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Both Kushner and his fellow envoy Witkoff have described approaching diplomacy as businessmen, identifying what each side wants, resolving obstacles and brokering deals. — Allegra Goodwin, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Al Mubarak, 50, also is a UAE special envoy to China, and welcomed Xi Jinping to the club when the Chinese leader visited England in 2015. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Those efforts have included dispatching a senior envoy to discuss ending Iranian airline Mahan Air’s flights to Oman, according to a Treasury Department spokesperson. — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 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