advisory
Advisory (adj) means giving advice or recommendations rather than making binding decisions. Example: “The committee serves only in an advisory role.”
How to Use Advisory
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "offering advice/guidance" (adjective) or an official warning notice (noun).
Word Forms
more advisory comparative, advisories plural, most advisory superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The committee serves only in an _____ role.
Etymology
From advise plus the ending -ory.
Related Words
Rhymes for advisory
See all rhymes for advisory →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “advisory” mean?
The word “advisory” means giving advice or recommendations rather than making binding decisions. In plain terms, either "offering advice/guidance" (adjective) or an official warning notice (noun).
How do you pronounce “advisory”?
“Advisory” is pronounced uhd-VEYE-zuh-ree (/ædˈvaɪz(ə)ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “advisory” in a sentence?
Here is “advisory” used in a sentence: “The committee serves only in an advisory role.”
What part of speech is “advisory”?
Depending on how it is used, “advisory” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “advisory” a common word?
“Advisory” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “advisory” have?
“Advisory” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: giving advice or recommendations rather than making binding decisions.
What is the difference between an "advisory" and a "warning"?
As a noun, an "advisory" is an official notice about a situation such as weather or travel, often giving information and recommendations. A "warning" usually signals a more serious or imminent threat, so a warning tends to carry greater urgency than an advisory.
What is the difference between "advisory" and "mandatory"?
"Advisory" means giving advice or recommendations rather than making binding decisions, so following it is optional. "Mandatory" means required and enforceable, so an advisory role or guideline can be ignored without penalty, while a mandatory one cannot.
Can "advisory" be both an adjective and a noun?
Yes. As an adjective, "advisory" describes something that gives advice rather than making binding decisions, as in "an advisory committee." As a noun, it names an official warning or notice about a situation, such as a weather advisory or a travel advisory.