envoy
6 synonyms 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.
emissary
envoi
How to use envoy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
special envoy
peace envoy
envoy to the region
presidential envoy
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.
