lawyer

noun

law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər  ˈlȯi-ər 

: one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise as to legal rights and obligations in other matters

lawyerlike

ˈlȯ-yər-ˌlīk 

ˈlȯi-ər-

adjective

lawyerly

ˈlȯ-yər-lē 

ˈlȯi-ər-

adjective

Synonyms

• advocate
• attorney
• attorney-at-law
• counsel
• counselor
• counsellor
• counselor-at-law
• legal eagle

Examples of lawyer in a Sentence

their lawyers told them that they couldn't use the park for the concert without permission from the city

Recent Examples on the Web

Daniel’s lawyer and the federal government have agreed to do nothing until about a week before President-elect Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024

In the lower courts, both the Biden administration and lawyers for a group of transgender plaintiffs argued the pro-trans position. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Nov. 2024

There was a spate of fire-breathing letters from her lawyers. —Lili Anolik, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024

The former environmental lawyer may also bring uncertainty to the pharmaceutical industry, which relies on federal health agencies to greenlight new products, keep old ones on the market, and, in some cases, fund research and development. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lawyer

• canon lawyer
• criminal lawyer
• jailhouse lawyer
• lawyer up
• Philadelphia lawyer
• sea lawyer
• trial lawyer

Kids Definition

lawyer

noun

law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər  ˈlȯi-ər 

: a person whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise about legal rights and obligations

Legal Definition

lawyer

noun

law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər 

: one whose profession is to advise clients as to legal rights and obligations and to represent clients in legal proceedings