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

• 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

Trump immediately told White House special envoy Steve Witkoff to brief Qatar, according to another US official. —Max Saltman, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025

Trump immediately directed Steven Witkoff, his special envoy in the Middle East, to notify Qatari leaders of the impending attack, Leavitt said. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025

Special envoy Richard Grenell was listed as a subject in the memo, which detailed in-depth conversations with his counterparts overseas, according to The New York Times. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025

Trump sends Hamas a new peace proposal White House envoy Steve Witkoff has communicated to Hamas the president’s latest attempt to end the war in Gaza. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1635, 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