From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdiplomaticdip‧lo‧mat‧ic /ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk◂/ ●○○ adjective 1 PGOREPRESENTrelating to or involving the work of diplomats Diplomatic efforts to end the fighting began on October 25.2 → diplomatic relations/ties3 POLITEdealing 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.COLLOCATIONSnounsdiplomatic activityThe attacks led to intensive international diplomatic activity.a diplomatic missionHe 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 effortsDiplomatic efforts to end the fighting began on October 15th.diplomatic pressureRiots 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
Examples from the Corpus
diplomatic• A good secretary needs to be efficient, and above all diplomatic.• Robson was trying to be as diplomatic as possible - he didn't want to risk losing a promotion.• Jen tried to be diplomatic as she explained the problem.• Robert's next diplomatic assignment was at the Paris embassy.• Most members of the European diplomatic community have already left the country as war now seems inevitable.• Moreover, this growth of diplomatic contacts was a two-way process.• In Chongqing, Joe sought out contacts who could introduce him to the upper levels of the government and diplomatic corps.• The car was unmarked, there were no military or diplomatic plates, no official driver, no bodyguard.• The governments of Britain and Syria are anxious to re-establish diplomatic relations.• The guarding of military and diplomatic secrets at the expense of informed representative government provides no real security for our Republic.• He joined the diplomatic service and was posted to Ankara.• The mechanism could still be operated satisfactorily by diplomatic services which were small and content to remain so.Origin diplomatic (1700-1800) French diplomatique, from Latin diploma; → DIPLOMA 