Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

envoy

/ˈɛn.vɔɪ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.48 in modern English

Syllables: en-voy
IPA: /ˈɛn.vɔɪ/

11

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A diplomatic agent of the second rank, next in status after an ambassador.

noun

A representative.

noun

noun

noun

Alternative spelling of envoi (“short stanza at end of poem”).

Example Sentences

"special envoy to the United Nations"
"In the year 1460 the king Tu-ma-pan (Tumapel?)† sent envoys to carry tribute. When these envoys went back, and had arrived at An-ch’ing,‡ they got drunk and had a fight with foreign priests who came to bring tribute, and of whom six were killed."

Etymology

From French envoyé (“envoy, messenger”), from envoyer (“send”).

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈɛn.vɔɪ/
British English: /ˈɛn.vɔɪ/

Inflected Forms

envoys (plural)

Derived Forms

envoyship

Phrases

e-envoy

Synonyms

envoy extraordinary minister plenipotentiary envoi emissary

Homonyms

envoi

Questions

How do you pronounce envoy?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɛn.vɔɪ/.
What does envoy mean?: A diplomatic agent of the second rank, next in status after an ambassador.
Where does envoy come from?: From French envoyé (“envoy, messenger”), from envoyer (“send”).

How to pronounce envoy

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “envoy”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɛn.vɔɪ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “envoy”.
Repeat and practice — Say “envoy” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.