noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

embassy

EHM-buh-see

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Embassy (noun) means the official group of diplomats representing one country's government in another country, along with the building they work from. Example: “The embassy helped him get a new travel document after his bag was stolen.”

noun

The official group of diplomats representing one country's government in another country, along with the building they work from.

"The embassy helped him get a new travel document after his bag was stolen."

"She renewed her passport at the embassy downtown."

"Protesters gathered outside the foreign embassy."

How to use embassy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA country's official diplomatic office (and the people and building that make it up) in another country's capital.

Common mistake

An embassy is a country's main diplomatic mission in a capital city; a consulate handles more routine services (like visas) and can be in other cities too.

Easily confused with

consulate →

Common pairings

at the embassy foreign embassy embassy staff

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: embassies

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ helped him get a new travel document after his bag was stolen.

Etymology

From French ambassee, tracing back through Old Italian and Old Occitan to a Gaulish word for "servant" or "one sent on a mission".

Origin: French

Synonyms

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legation mission delegation consulate chancery

Related words

message charge commission calling mission task admit quest

Rhymes for embassy

gassy sassy classy glassy grassy Christmassy

See all rhymes for 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.

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