advocate

American  

[ad-vuh-keyt, ad-vuh-kit, -keyt] / ˈæd vəˌkeɪt, ˈæd və kɪt, -ˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object)

advocates, present (3rd person singular) advocated, past participle, past advocating present participle

1. to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly.

   He advocated higher salaries for teachers.

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verb (used without object)

advocates, present (3rd person singular) advocated, past participle, past advocating present participle

1. to act as an advocate.

   a father who advocates for his disabled child.

noun

1. a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. (usually followed byof ).

   an advocate of peace.

   Synonyms:

   backer, proponent, champion

2. a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor.

3. a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law.

   Synonyms:

   solicitor, barrister, counsel, counselor, attorney, lawyer

advocate British  

verb

1. (tr; may take a clause as object) to support or recommend publicly; plead for or speak in favour of

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noun

1. a person who upholds or defends a cause; supporter

2. a person who intercedes on behalf of another

3. a person who pleads his client's cause in a court of law See also barrister solicitor counsellor

4. Scots law the usual word for barrister

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• advocatory
  adjective
• nonadvocate
  noun
• well-advocated
  adjective
• preadvocate
  noun
• advocator
  noun
• subadvocate
  noun
• advocative
  adjective
• unadvocated
  adjective
• readvocate
  verb (used with object)
• preadvocate
  verb (used with object)

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have advocated
  perfect
• has advocated
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has been advocating
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is advocating
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am advocating
  progressive 1st person singular
• are advocating
  progressive
• have been advocating
  perfect progressive
• advocates
  singular 3rd person
• advocating
  participle

Past

• had advocated
  perfect
• were advocating
  progressive plural
• had been advocating
  perfect progressive
• was advocating
  progressive singular
• advocated
  participle
• advocated
  simple

Future

• will advocate
  simple
• will have advocated
  perfect
• will have been advocating
  perfect progressive
• will be advocating
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of advocate

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin advocātus “legal counselor,” originally past participle of advocāre “to call to one's aid,” equivalent to ad- ad- + vocāre “to call” (akin to vōx voice ); replacing Middle English avocat, from Middle French

Explanation

An advocate (AD-və-kit) is someone who supports a cause, like an advocate for outdoor recess. Advocate (AD-və-kate) is also a verb meaning to speak in favor of, so you can advocate for that outdoor recess by urging your school to play outside! As a noun, an advocate is a person who represents another person’s interests, like a lawyer does. In fact, the word comes from the courtroom — it’s from Latin advocare, to “add” a “voice.” To advocate is to add a voice of support to a cause or person. An advocate is anyone who adds that voice by representing another person in court, or by supporting or working toward a particular course of action.

Example Sentences

The brokerages are also gauging customer interest now to advocate for a bigger piece when the time comes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

He described feeling alone and questioning his place in the world, which he said later informed his work as a mental health advocate.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Throughout his career, he was a fierce, joyful advocate for interfaith coexistence.

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2026

“I was in meetings where he was a passionate and forceful advocate for these minors,” Klain said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

Having an advocate on the inside—someone who had gotten to know me and understood my story on a personal level—had obviously helped.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

Related Words

• back
• campaign for
• defend
• encourage
• favor
• further
• justify
• press for
• promote
• propose
• push
• recommend
• support
• tout
• uphold
• urge