ambassador

The word “ambassador” means a diplomat of the highest rank sent by one country to represent it in another. In plain terms, an official representative of a country abroad, or more loosely, anyone who represents and promotes something.

“Ambassador” is pronounced am-BAS-uh-duh (/æmˈbæs.ə.dɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “ambassador” used in a sentence: “The new ambassador presented her credentials to the president.”

“Ambassador” is a noun.

The word “ambassador” comes from Italian. From Old Italian ambassadore, ultimately traced back through Old Occitan and Proto-Celtic to a root meaning "to drive around" — the original sense being a servant or messenger sent on an errand.

“Ambassador” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Ambassador” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a diplomat of the highest rank sent by one country to represent it in another.

A 'diplomat' is any official who represents their country abroad, at various ranks. An 'ambassador' is a diplomat of the highest rank, who heads a country's mission in another nation, so every ambassador is a diplomat but not every diplomat is an ambassador.

An 'ambassador' is the top diplomat representing their whole country and usually works from an embassy in the capital. A 'consul' handles more practical matters, such as helping citizens and supporting trade, and is based at a consulate.

A 'brand ambassador' represents and promotes an organization, brand, or cause on an ongoing basis, often informally and by association. A 'spokesperson' is appointed to speak officially on an organization's behalf, especially to the media, and their role is usually more formal and specific.

In formal settings an ambassador is often addressed as 'Your Excellency' or simply as 'Ambassador'. In written correspondence they may be referred to as 'His Excellency' or 'Her Excellency' followed by their name.