DIPLOMATIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does diplomatic mean? 

• DIPLOMATIC (adjective)
  The adjective DIPLOMATIC has 2 senses:

1. relating to or characteristic of diplomacy

2. using or marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters or people

  Familiarity information: DIPLOMATIC used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DIPLOMATIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Relating to or characteristic of diplomacy

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

diplomatic immunity

Pertainym:

diplomacy (negotiation between nations)

Derivation:

diplomacy (negotiation between nations)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Using or marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters or people

Synonyms:

diplomatic; diplomatical

Context example:

the hostess averted a confrontation with a diplomatic chenage of subject

Similar:

bland; politic; smooth; suave (smoothly agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication)

kid-glove; tactful (showing skill and sensitivity in dealing with people)

Also:

politic (marked by artful prudence, expedience, and shrewdness)

Antonym:

undiplomatic (not skilled in dealing with others)

Derivation:

diplomacy (subtly skillful handling of a situation)

 Context examples 

“We also have our diplomatic secrets,” said he and, picking up his hat, he turned to the door.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A historic deal has been reached to create the world's largest marine reserve in Antarctica, after years of diplomatic wrangling.

(Deal Reached to Create World's Largest Marine Reserve in Antarctica, VOA News)

No allowance is made for accidents where diplomatic interests are at stake.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM, for Bureau International des Poids et Mesures) is the agency which was given authority by diplomatic treaty the Convention of the Metre to maintain the International System of Units and to act in matters of world metrology, particularly concerning the demand for measurement standards of ever increasing accuracy, range and diversity, and the need to demonstrate equivalence between national measurement standards.

(International Bureau of Weights and Measures, NCI Thesaurus)

In her secret soul, however, she decided that politics were as bad as mathematics, and that the mission of politicians seemed to be calling each other names, but she kept these feminine ideas to herself, and when John paused, shook her head and said with what she thought diplomatic ambiguity, Well, I really don't see what we are coming to.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)