noun
solicitor
suh-LIH-sih-tuh
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."
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."
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.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
solicitors plural
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Etymology
From Middle French soliciteur, from solicit plus the agent-suffix -or.
Rhymes for solicitor
editor
suitor
monitor
traitor
visitor
janitor
auditor
creditor
capacitor
inhibitor
competitor
inquisitor
See all rhymes for solicitor →