Word
consulate
Phoneticscon·sulate
US/ˈkɑnsəɫət/
UK/kˈɒnsjʊlət/
Definitions
01diplomatic building
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the building or office where a consul works in a foreign city.
n. the official building or office of a consul, typically providing services to citizens of the consul's home country.
“If you lose your passport while traveling, you should go to your nearest consulate for help.”
“The local consulate provides essential services to expatriates, including the processing of emergency travel documents and the notarization of legal papers.”
Usage
Often used with the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific city's office.
Pitfall
I went to the consulate to get a visa for my own country.
I went to the consulate to get a visa for their country.
A consulate represents a foreign government; you visit it to deal with that foreign country's paperwork.
Synonyms
02period of government
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. the time during which a consul is in power, or a government led by consuls.
n. the period of office of a consul, or a government characterized by the rule of consuls, such as in ancient Rome or Napoleonic France.
“The historian wrote a book about the French Consulate under Napoleon.”
“During his first consulate, the statesman implemented several sweeping reforms that stabilized the economy after years of civil unrest.”
Usage
Frequently capitalized when referring to specific historical periods, such as the French Consulate (1799–1804).
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Germany said the Russian Consulate in Bonn will be closed later this month.” “Toronto Police officers work around the scene of a shooting at the US Consulate in Toronto.” Etymology
From Middle English consulat, consulate, from Latin consulātus, from consul + -ātus. In some senses, via French consulat. By surface analysis, consul + -ate (forms nouns denoting rank or office).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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