envoy
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for envoy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person sent by a government or organisation to represent it in dealings with another, especially on a specific mission.
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 envoy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From French envoyé, the past participle of envoyer ('to send'), from Vulgar Latin inviare ('to send on the way'), from in- plus via ('way').
Full origin of envoy →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an envoy and an ambassador?
An ambassador is a country's permanent, highest-ranking representative in another state and heads the embassy there. An envoy is usually sent for a particular purpose or period, often to a conflict or negotiation, and does not necessarily run a mission.
What is a special envoy?
A special envoy is someone appointed to handle one defined issue, such as climate, hostages or a regional conflict, rather than relations with a single country. The role is normally temporary and reports directly to a leader or foreign ministry.
How is 'envoy' pronounced?
It is said EN-voy, with the stress on the first syllable. The older French-flavoured pronunciation ON-voy is occasionally heard but is not standard in English.