noun
Common
attorney
uh-TUR-nee
Attorney (noun) means a lawyer, especially one licensed to represent clients in legal matters. Example: “She hired an attorney to review the contract.”
noun
1
A lawyer, especially one licensed to represent clients in legal matters.
"“Conflicting out” attorneys is the way a husband will make sure his wife doesn't hire any of the most aggressive lawyers in town."
— Diane Medved, Don't Divorce (2017)
"She hired an attorney to review the contract."
"My attorney explained each clause of the agreement before I signed anything."
"If you are arrested, you have the right to speak to an attorney."
2
A person legally authorized to act on someone else's behalf.
"He was granted power of attorney over his father's affairs."
"She named her sister as her attorney while she was working abroad."
"As his attorney, Maria signed the sale papers because he was too ill to attend."
How to use attorney
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA lawyer, or more broadly, someone legally appointed to act for another person.
UK vs US
"Attorney" is the standard general term for a lawyer in the US; British English more often uses "solicitor" or "barrister."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
power of attorney
district attorney
defense attorney
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Word forms
- Plural
- attorneys, attornies
- Third person singular
- attorneys
- Past tense
- attorneyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She hired an _____ to review the contract.
Etymology
From Old French atorné, "one appointed [to act for another]," from atorner, "to assign, appoint."
Related words
Rhymes for attorney
See all rhymes for attorney →Frequently asked questions
What does “attorney” mean?
The word “attorney” means a lawyer, especially one licensed to represent clients in legal matters. In plain terms, a lawyer, or more broadly, someone legally appointed to act for another person.
How do you pronounce “attorney”?
“Attorney” is pronounced uh-TUR-nee (/əˈtɜɹni/ in IPA).
How do you use “attorney” in a sentence?
Here is “attorney” used in a sentence: “She hired an attorney to review the contract.”
What part of speech is “attorney”?
“Attorney” is a noun.
Where does the word “attorney” come from?
The word “attorney” comes from Old French. From Old French atorné, "one appointed [to act for another]," from atorner, "to assign, appoint.".
Is “attorney” a common word?
“Attorney” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “attorney” have?
“Attorney” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a lawyer, especially one licensed to represent clients in legal matters.
What is the difference between an attorney and a lawyer?
The words overlap, especially in the United States, where they are often used interchangeably. Strictly, a lawyer is anyone trained and qualified in law, while an attorney is a lawyer licensed to act for clients and represent them in court. Every attorney is a lawyer, but not every lawyer practises as one.
What is the difference between an attorney and a solicitor?
It is largely a matter of country. Attorney is the usual term in the United States for a legal representative. In Britain, that role is split between solicitors, who advise clients and handle paperwork, and barristers, who argue cases in higher courts. The jobs are similar; the labels differ.
What are the different types of attorneys?
Attorneys usually specialise. Criminal attorneys handle prosecutions and defences, while civil attorneys deal with disputes between people or companies. Others focus on family, corporate, property, or immigration law. Titles such as district attorney or defence attorney describe the specific role a lawyer plays within the legal system.
What does 'power of attorney' mean?
Here 'attorney' has a different, older sense: someone authorised to act for another. A power of attorney is a legal document that lets one person make decisions — often financial or medical — on someone else's behalf, typically when that person is unable to manage their own affairs.
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