envoy

noun

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

Synonyms of envoy

• ambassador
• delegate
• representative
• minister

Examples of envoy in a Sentence

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

At the same time, US envoys were holding regular talks with Iran over a potential new nuclear deal. —Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 24 May 2026

Foreign leaders have condemned his on-camera treatment of the detainees and several countries summoned Israeli envoys to air their concerns. —Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026

British Parliament released all records related to his former role as a trade envoy on May 21. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 21 May 2026

Nickolay Mladenov, a veteran peace negotiator and Trump’s Board of Peace envoy, spoke for many during a depressing update last week on the status of Gaza’s peace process. —Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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