Missioner: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in religious contexts to describe someone who is sent to promote a faith or offer humanitarian aid.

• The missioner traveled to remote villages to provide medical care.
• As a missioner, she dedicated her life to spreading her religious beliefs.

Used to describe a person chosen or elected to represent a group of people, often at conferences or political gatherings.

• Each country sent a delegate to the climate summit.
• The student council elected a delegate to present their concerns to the administration.

Refers to a diplomat or official representative sent on a specific mission, often to negotiate or communicate between governments.

• The envoy was sent to discuss trade agreements with the neighboring country.
• An envoy from the United Nations visited the conflict region to negotiate peace.

A general term for someone who acts on behalf of another person or group in various settings, such as business, politics, or organizations.

• She acted as the company's representative at the industry conference.
• The elected representative addressed the community's concerns in the town hall meeting.

Another British English term that can refer specifically to a religious mission or more generally to someone dedicated to a purposeful task. Note that 'missioner' and 'missionary' are often used interchangeably, with 'missioner' being the less common variant.

• The town welcomed the new missioner with open arms
• / As a social missioner, he dedicated his life to fighting inequality

This word is most commonly used to describe someone sent on a religious mission, especially to promote Christianity in foreign countries. It can also be used for someone sent on a philanthropic or educational mission.

• The missionary spent years working in remote villages
• / She took on a homeschooling missionary project to help underserved communities

Usually referring to someone who seeks to convert others to the Christian faith through preaching. In a broader sense, it can describe someone who strongly promotes a cause or product.

• The evangelist delivered a powerful sermon to the crowd
• / He became an evangelist for the new software in the tech community

This term is often used in a religious context, especially referring to the original disciples of Jesus in Christianity. It can also be used more generally to describe a passionate advocate or leader of a new movement.

• Peter was one of the original apostles
• / He was hailed as an apostle of non-violence