What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
emissary
Example
The president sent an emissary to meet with the foreign leader. [emissary: noun]
Example
The company's emissary delivered the proposal to the potential client. [emissary: noun]
Example
He acted as an emissary for his boss, delivering the important documents to the client. [emissary: noun]
representative
Example
The union representative negotiated with the management on behalf of the workers. [representative: noun]
Example
She was elected as the representative for her district in the state legislature. [representative: noun]
Example
The environmental group sent a representative to speak at the public hearing. [representative: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Representative is more commonly used than emissary in everyday language. Representative is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts, while emissary is less common and often used in more formal or diplomatic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between emissary and representative?
Emissary is typically associated with a more formal or diplomatic tone, while representative can be used in both formal and informal contexts.