English Reference
Noun

emissary

n.
C1 Advanced US /ˈɛməˌsɛɹi/ UK /ˈɛmɪsəɹi/ emis·sary UK spelling emissaries Anatomy

n.a person who is sent to represent a group or country in a formal meeting. You use this word when someone is acting as a messenger for a larger organization.

n.a person sent to represent a group, country, or organization in a formal or diplomatic capacity. Often used in the context of international relations or corporate negotiations.


SIMPLE

The ambassador acted as an emissary between the two nations.

CONTEXTUAL

The CEO sent a senior executive as an emissary to discuss the merger with the rival company.

COMPLEX

Historians often debate whether the diplomat was truly an emissary of peace or merely a pawn in a larger political game designed to delay the inevitable conflict.


From French émissaire, from Latin emissarius (“agent, scout, spy”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin emissarius
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated