ambassador: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal
Quick answer
What does “ambassador” mean?
A high-ranking official who represents their government in a foreign country, acting as the chief diplomat in an embassy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A high-ranking official who represents their government in a foreign country, acting as the chief diplomat in an embassy.
A representative or promoter of a specified activity, organization, or ideology; a figure who acts as a symbolic or influential advocate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The metaphorical use is equally common in both varieties. The role and protocol surrounding an ambassador are largely standardized internationally.
Connotations
Associated with formality, diplomacy, tact, and official state representation. In extended use, connotations of being a 'face' or 'figurehead' for a cause.
Frequency
Core meaning is moderately frequent in news and political discourse. Extended meaning is common in business, marketing, and public relations contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “ambassador” in a Sentence
[ambassador] to [country][ambassador] for [cause/organization][appoint/name/recall] an [ambassador][serve as/act as] an [ambassador]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ambassador” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was tasked with ambassadoring the new trade agreement across European capitals, a role requiring immense tact.
American English
- The retired general was asked to ambassador the charity's veteran support initiative nationwide.
adverb
British English
- He spoke ambassadorially, carefully weighing every word to avoid causing offence.
American English
- She acted ambassadorially, promoting the university's research with great skill at the international conference.
adjective
British English
- The ambassadorial suite in the hotel was reserved for visiting dignitaries.
- She handled the crisis with remarkable ambassadorial poise.
American English
- His ambassadorial duties included frequent travel to the capital for high-level briefings.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Often used metaphorically for 'brand ambassadors' who promote a company's products or image.
Academic
Used in political science, international relations, and history to discuss diplomatic roles and soft power.
Everyday
Used when discussing news about international relations or figures representing charities or causes.
Technical
In IT, sometimes used for a specific type of inter-process communication software or a role in developer relations (e.g., 'developer ambassador').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ambassador”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ambassador”
- Confusing 'ambassador' with 'embassy' (the building/mission). Incorrect: 'He works at the ambassador.' Correct: 'He works at the embassy' or 'He is the ambassador.'
- Using incorrect prepositions. Incorrect: 'ambassador of France.' Correct (for the role): 'the French ambassador to the UK' or 'the ambassador of France to the UK.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An ambassador is the top diplomatic representative of one country to another, dealing with high-level political relations. A consul works under the embassy, focusing on assisting citizens (e.g., with visas, passports) and promoting trade in a specific city or region.
Yes, absolutely. The word is gender-neutral. A female diplomat in this role is called an 'ambassador'. The term 'ambassadress' is archaic and not used in modern diplomatic language.
A 'goodwill ambassador' is a person, often a celebrity or public figure, who advocates for a charitable cause or an international organization (like the UN). They use their fame to raise awareness and funds but do not have formal diplomatic status.
No. The ambassador is the person, the chief diplomat. The embassy is the physical office and diplomatic mission that the ambassador heads, located in the capital city of the host country.
A high-ranking official who represents their government in a foreign country, acting as the chief diplomat in an embassy.
Ambassador is usually formal in register.
Ambassador: in British English it is pronounced /æmˈbæs.ə.dər/, and in American English it is pronounced /æmˈbæs.ə.dɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Ambassador of goodwill”
- “An ambassador without portfolio”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AM-BASS-ador' – The person who gets the 'bass' (low, foundational) communication going between nations, or who carries the 'bass' (important) message.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NATION IS A PERSON (sending its representative to interact with another). An ORGANIZATION/IDEA IS A NATION (having ambassadors to represent it to the public).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is the word 'ambassador' used metaphorically?