Embassy
UK /["/ˈembəsi/"]/US /["/ˈembəsi/"]/
Definition
a group of officials led by an ambassador who represent their government in a foreign country
In simple words: A place where a country's representatives work in another country.
Examples
- embassy officials
- to inform the embassy of the situation
- a demonstration outside the Russian Embassy
- a fire in the Spanish embassy
- a protest outside the American embassy
- They broke off diplomatic relations and closed the embassies in each other's country.
- She works at the Malaysian embassy in Buenos Aires.
Usage notes
Used in formal contexts relating to international relations. Not typically used in casual conversation. Appropriate when discussing travel or legal matters regarding foreign affairs.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of 'embassy' as a 'home base' for a country in another land.
Collocations
- foreign
- American
- British
- close
- open
- reopen
- building
- compound
- official
- at an/the embassy
- in an/the embassy
- outside an/the embassy
- foreign
- American
- British
- close
- open
- reopen
- building
- compound
- official
- at an/the embassy
- in an/the embassy
- outside an/the embassy
Synonyms
- consulate
- diplomatic mission
- legation
Antonyms
- consulate
- home office
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'consulate' — an embassy is different from a consulate.
- Using 'embassy' in a plural form incorrectly as 'embassies' in informal contexts.
- Mispronouncing it as 'im-bassy' instead of 'em-bassy'.