noun
Uncommon
solicitor
suh-LIH-sih-tuh
Solicitor (noun) means In the UK and similar legal systems, a lawyer who advises clients and handles legal paperwork, as distinct from a barrister who argues cases in court. Example: “She hired a solicitor to handle the sale of her house.”
noun
1
In the UK and similar legal systems, a lawyer who advises clients and handles legal paperwork, as distinct from a barrister who argues cases in court.
"She hired a solicitor to handle the sale of her house."
"The solicitor drafted the contract before the deal was signed."
"Before signing the lease, ask your solicitor to check every clause carefully."
2
In parts of the United States, the chief legal officer of a city or municipality.
"The city solicitor reviewed the new ordinance before it passed."
"The town solicitor advised the mayor that the proposed rule might be challenged."
"As city solicitor, he represents the municipality in any legal dispute."
How to use solicitor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA type of lawyer, especially in the UK, who handles legal advice and paperwork rather than arguing in court.
UK vs US
In the UK, solicitors and barristers are distinct roles; in most of the US, "lawyer" or "attorney" covers both functions, with "solicitor" used mainly for certain city officials or in "no soliciting" signs about door-to-door selling.
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Word forms
- Plural
- solicitors
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She hired a _____ to handle the sale of her house.
Etymology
From Middle French soliciteur, from solicit plus the agent-suffix -or.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for solicitor
editor
suitor
monitor
traitor
visitor
janitor
auditor
creditor
capacitor
inhibitor
competitor
inquisitor
See all rhymes for solicitor →
Frequently asked questions
What does “solicitor” mean?
The word “solicitor” means in the UK and similar legal systems, a lawyer who advises clients and handles legal paperwork, as distinct from a barrister who argues cases in court. In plain terms, a type of lawyer, especially in the UK, who handles legal advice and paperwork rather than arguing in court.
How do you pronounce “solicitor”?
“Solicitor” is pronounced suh-LIH-sih-tuh (/səˈlɪsɪtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “solicitor” in a sentence?
Here is “solicitor” used in a sentence: “She hired a solicitor to handle the sale of her house.”
What part of speech is “solicitor”?
“Solicitor” is a noun.
Where does the word “solicitor” come from?
The word “solicitor” comes from Middle French. From Middle French soliciteur, from solicit plus the agent-suffix -or.
Is “solicitor” a common word?
“Solicitor” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “solicitor” have?
“Solicitor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in the UK and similar legal systems, a lawyer who advises clients and handles legal paperwork, as distinct from a barrister who argues cases in court.
What is the difference between a solicitor and a barrister?
In the UK and similar legal systems, a solicitor advises clients and handles legal paperwork, while a barrister specializes in arguing cases in court. Solicitors typically deal directly with clients on day-to-day legal matters, and may instruct a barrister when a case needs to be argued before a judge.
Is "solicitor" used the same way in the US and UK?
No, the meaning differs by country. In the UK, a solicitor is a type of lawyer who advises clients and handles paperwork, while in parts of the United States, "solicitor" refers to the chief legal officer of a city or municipality.
Can a solicitor represent a client in court?
In the UK system, solicitors traditionally handle legal advice and paperwork rather than courtroom advocacy, with barristers typically arguing cases in court. However, in practice some solicitors do gain rights to appear in certain courts, though the barrister remains the specialist in courtroom argument.
