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Synonyms

consult

American  
[kuhn-suhlt, kon-suhlt, kuhn-suhlt] / kənˈsʌlt, ˈkɒn sʌlt, kənˈsʌlt /

verb (used with object)

  1. to seek advice or information from; ask guidance from.

    Consult your lawyer before signing the contract.

  2. to refer to for information.

    Consult your dictionary for the spelling of the word.

  3. to have regard for (a person's interest, convenience, etc.) in making plans.

  4. Obsolete. to meditate, plan, or contrive.


verb (used without object)

  1. to consider or deliberate; take counsel; confer (usually followed bywith ).

    He consulted with his doctor.

  2. to give professional or expert advice; serve as consultant.

noun

  1. a consultation.

  2. Archaic. a secret meeting, especially one for seditious purposes.

consult British  
/ kənˈsʌlt /

verb

  1. to ask advice from (someone); confer with (someone)

  2. (tr) to refer to for information

    to consult a map

  3. (tr) to have regard for (a person's feelings, interests, etc) in making decisions or plans; consider

  4. (intr) to make oneself available to give professional advice, esp at scheduled times and for a fee

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

Consult, confer imply talking over a situation or a subject with someone to decide points in doubt. To consult is to seek from a presumably qualified person or source advice, opinion, etc.: to consult an authority. To confer is to exchange views: The partners conferred concerning their business.

Other Word Forms

  • consultable adjective
  • consulter noun
  • preconsult verb
  • reconsult verb
  • unconsulted adjective

Etymology

Origin of consult

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French consulter, from Latin consultāre “to deliberate,” literally, “to advise repeatedly,” from consulere “to advise, consider, seek advice from”; consul

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When Marcia Mantell started her retirement consulting business 20 years ago, the most anyone could get in Social Security was $1,982 a month, which today is closer to the average payout.

From MarketWatch

If you consult with a financial adviser or other expert, be careful if you ask AI for a second opinion.

From The Wall Street Journal

The government is also currently consulting on banning social media for under 16s in the UK as a part of a series of measures which it says are intended to "protect young people's wellbeing."

From BBC

“As a program, it crashed and burned” under the variety of owners and investors that managed the company, said Richard Aboulafia, the managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory, a consulting firm.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the legislation faces a legal challenge and accusations ministers did not consult on it properly.

From BBC