dip ‧ lo ‧ mat ‧ ic /ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk◂/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1700-1800 ; Language: French ; Origin: diplomatique , from Latin diploma ; ⇨ ↑ diploma ]
1 . relating to or involving the work of diplomats:
Diplomatic efforts to end the fighting began on October 25.
2 . diplomatic relations/ties the arrangement between two countries that each should keep representatives at an ↑ embassy in the other’s country
establish/break off diplomatic relations
The two countries established diplomatic relations last year.
3 . dealing with people politely and skilfully without upsetting them SYN tactful :
They were always very diplomatic with awkward clients.
a diplomatic answer
—diplomatically /-kli/ adverb :
Maria handled the situation very diplomatically.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ diplomatic activity
The attacks led to intensive international diplomatic activity.
▪ a diplomatic mission
He was sent to France three times on diplomatic missions.
▪ diplomatic sources (=people supplying diplomats with information)
According to diplomatic sources, up to 300 people were killed in the violence.
▪ diplomatic efforts
Diplomatic efforts to end the fighting began on October 15th.
▪ diplomatic pressure
Riots followed and there was diplomatic pressure on the government to assert its authority.
▪ a diplomatic initiative (=plan or process)
Havana launched a diplomatic initiative to establish its own ties with Latin American governments.
▪ diplomatic channels (=diplomatic methods used for achieving something)
The President said that he hoped the situation could be resolved by diplomatic channels.
▪ diplomatic recognition (=acceptance that a government or organization has official authority)
Beijing's diplomatic recognition of South Korea