advisory

American  

[ad-vahy-zuh-ree] / ædˈvaɪ zə ri /

adjective

1. of, giving, or containing advice.

   an advisory letter from a stockbroker.

2. having the power or duty to advise.

   an advisory council.

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noun

advisories plural

1. a report on existing or predicted conditions, often with advice for dealing with them.

   an investment advisory.

2. an announcement or bulletin that serves to advise and usually warn the public, as of some potential hazard: a travelers' advisory.

   a health advisory;

   a travelers' advisory.

3. an announcement from the U.S. National Weather Service to keep the public informed about the progress of a potentially dangerous weather condition: tornado advisory.

   hurricane advisory;

   tornado advisory.

advisory British  

/ ədˈvaɪzərɪ /

adjective

1. giving advice; empowered to make recommendations

   an advisory body

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noun

1. a statement issued to give advice, recommendations, or a warning

   a travel advisory

2. a person or organization with an advisory function

   the Prime Minister's media advisory

Other Word Forms

• advisorily
  adverb
• preadvisory
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of advisory

First recorded in 1770–80; advise + -ory ¹

Explanation

An advisory is an announcement that often gives a warning, like a weather advisory about a blizzard. An advisory job involves giving advice. People like to give advice: friends, family, writers, and TV personalities are constantly giving tips about saving money, losing weight, and finding love. An advisory is a type of advice that is specific and usually important, like an announcement of bad weather or a terrorist threat. Advisories are often issued by the government as warnings. Also, someone whose job is to give advice has an advisory position.

Example Sentences

She serves as chief assurance officer at the firm, which will provide auditing and advisory services, but not tax services.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

A.I. has been a key motif of Leo’s nascent papacy, from early speeches to advisory groups to the reception of tech execs who’ve approached the holy man on their own.

From Slate • May 28, 2026

She is continuing to work despite the diagnosis, and will be joining the White House's new advisory council on AI, the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

More than 120 US civil rights organizations, including the influential American Civil Liberties Union, issued a "travel advisory" in April warning of the "risk of serious rights violations" to fans, players, journalists and other visitors.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

There was a war going on in Afghanistan, a new color-coded threat advisory system being used in the United States, and Osama bin Laden was apparently hiding somewhere in a cave.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama