embassy
5 synonyms for embassy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The official group of diplomats representing one country's government in another country, along with the building they work from.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use embassy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
at the embassy
foreign embassy
embassy staff
Etymology
From French ambassee, tracing back through Old Italian and Old Occitan to a Gaulish word for "servant" or "one sent on a mission".
Full origin of embassy →Frequently asked questions
What does “embassy” mean?
The word “embassy” means the official group of diplomats representing one country's government in another country, along with the building they work from. In plain terms, a country's official diplomatic office (and the people and building that make it up) in another country's capital.
How do you pronounce “embassy”?
“Embassy” is pronounced EHM-buh-see (/ˈɛmbəsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “embassy” in a sentence?
Here is “embassy” used in a sentence: “She renewed her passport at the embassy downtown.”
What part of speech is “embassy”?
“Embassy” is a noun.
Where does the word “embassy” come from?
The word “embassy” comes from French. From French ambassee, tracing back through Old Italian and Old Occitan to a Gaulish word for "servant" or "one sent on a mission".
Is “embassy” a common word?
“Embassy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between an "embassy" and a "consulate"?
An "embassy" is a country's main diplomatic mission in another country, usually located in the capital and handling major political relations. A consulate is a smaller office, often in other cities, that focuses on services like visas and helping citizens abroad.
What is the difference between an "embassy" and a "high commission"?
They perform the same role, but the term used depends on the countries involved: an "embassy" represents one country in another, while a "high commission" is the name used for the equivalent mission between Commonwealth countries. Both house diplomats representing their government.
What is the difference between an "embassy" and an "ambassador"?
An "embassy" is the group of diplomats representing a government abroad, along with the building they work from, while an "ambassador" is the single senior official who leads that embassy. The ambassador is a person; the embassy is the office and team.
