diplomatic corps: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, official, diplomatic, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “diplomatic corps” mean?
The collective body of foreign diplomats (ambassadors, consuls, and other officials) accredited to a particular country or city.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The collective body of foreign diplomats (ambassadors, consuls, and other officials) accredited to a particular country or city.
The community of diplomatic personnel and their support staff working in a foreign capital; can sometimes refer more broadly to the professional and social network of diplomats in a given location, including their families and administrative functions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The spelling "diplomatic corps" is standard in both. The French-derived "corps diplomatique" is occasionally used in very formal UK contexts (e.g., official publications) but is extremely rare in the US.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries strong connotations of formal protocol, privilege, and international politics.
Frequency
Used with similar frequency in formal/administrative contexts in both UK and US English. Slightly more likely to appear in UK media due to London's large diplomatic community.
Grammar
How to Use “diplomatic corps” in a Sentence
The + diplomatic corps + singular verb (is, has, meets)A member of the diplomatic corpsThe diplomatic corps in [city/country]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “diplomatic corps” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The diplomatic-corps privileges are extensive.
- A diplomatic-corps liaison officer was appointed.
American English
- The diplomatic corps privileges are extensive.
- A diplomatic corps liaison was appointed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in discussions of international relations affecting trade or corporate diplomacy.
Academic
Used in political science, international relations, and history texts discussing foreign policy structures.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Appears in news reports about state functions or diplomatic incidents.
Technical
Standard term in diplomacy, international law, and protocol documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “diplomatic corps”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “diplomatic corps”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “diplomatic corps”
- Using a plural verb (e.g., 'The diplomatic corps are...' is incorrect).
- Misspelling 'corps' as 'corpse' or 'core.'
- Confusing it with the staff of a single embassy.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically singular, as 'corps' refers to a single body or organization. Use singular verbs: 'The diplomatic corps is...'
The 'diplomatic corps' refers to foreign diplomats posted *to* a host country. A country's 'foreign service' is its own domestic body of career diplomats sent *abroad*.
The 'dean' or 'doyen' of the diplomatic corps, typically the ambassador who has been accredited the longest in that capital.
No. An individual is a 'member of the diplomatic corps' or a 'diplomat.' 'Diplomatic corps' only refers to the collective group.
The collective body of foreign diplomats (ambassadors, consuls, and other officials) accredited to a particular country or city.
Diplomatic corps is usually formal, official, diplomatic, journalistic in register.
Diplomatic corps: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪp.ləˈmæt.ɪk kɔː(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪp.ləˈmæt̬.ɪk kɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The dean of the diplomatic corps (the longest-serving ambassador)”
- “To have diplomatic corps immunity (specific legal privileges)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sports CORE (corps) team, but instead of athletes, it's a team of DIPLOMATS working in a foreign capital.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS IS A BODY (a singular entity composed of many parts working together).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'diplomatic corps' correctly?