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

As Washington dispatches envoys and Ukraine hits a key Russian Black Sea naval base, both sides dig in for a grinding war that Zelensky warns must bring real consequences for Moscow. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Washington envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff visited Moscow and Kyiv for separate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy at the weekend. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

The envoys held extensive conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow the day before. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026

Le Drian, who is seventy-nine years old and currently serves as France’s special envoy to Lebanon, has worked in the Middle East for nearly two decades. — Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 7 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