consul
Consul (noun) means an official appointed by a government to live in a foreign city and protect the interests of its citizens and businesses there. Example: “She reported the theft of her passport to the consul.”
How to use consul
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA government official who represents their country's interests in a foreign city.
Word forms
consuls plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She reported the theft of her passport to the _____.
Etymology
From Latin consul, the title of the Roman Republic's highest elected officials.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “consul” mean?
The word “consul” means an official appointed by a government to live in a foreign city and protect the interests of its citizens and businesses there. In plain terms, a government official who represents their country's interests in a foreign city.
How do you pronounce “consul”?
“Consul” is pronounced KON-suhl (/ˈkɑn.səl/ in IPA).
How do you use “consul” in a sentence?
Here is “consul” used in a sentence: “She reported the theft of her passport to the consul.”
What is another word for “consul”?
Words with a similar meaning to “consul” include councillor and early modern councilmen of southern France and Catalonia.
What part of speech is “consul”?
“Consul” is a noun.
Where does the word “consul” come from?
The word “consul” comes from Latin. From Latin consul, the title of the Roman Republic's highest elected officials.
Is “consul” a common word?
“Consul” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “consul” have?
“Consul” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an official appointed by a government to live in a foreign city and protect the interests of its citizens and businesses there.
What is the difference between a "consul" and an "ambassador"?
A consul is an official appointed to live in a foreign city and protect the interests of their country's citizens and businesses there, often handling practical matters like documents and local support. An ambassador typically represents their country's government at a higher diplomatic level, usually based in the capital city rather than a regional city.
What did a Roman consul do?
In ancient Rome, a consul was one of two elected heads of state of the Roman Republic, sharing the highest political and military authority. The two consuls served together and were elected for a limited term.
Is "consul" capitalized when referring to a specific official?
"Consul" is capitalized when it forms part of an official title before a name, such as "Consul Smith," but is lowercase when used as a general job description, as in "she works as a consul."