attorney

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.

“Attorney” is pronounced uh-TUR-nee (/əˈtɜɹni/ in IPA).

Here is “attorney” used in a sentence: “She hired an attorney to review the contract.”

“Attorney” is a noun.

The word “attorney” comes from Old French. From Old French atorné, "one appointed [to act for another]," from atorner, "to assign, appoint.".

“Attorney” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Attorney” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a lawyer, especially one licensed to represent clients in legal matters.

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.

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.

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.

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.