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

plural

advisories

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

Navy released an advisory Friday adding that the munitions situation is “not fully understood,” meaning that boats should “consider avoidance of that area” for now.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

Anyma will try again Friday night this week and, as of Thursday, there’s not a wind advisory in sight.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

But in March, a judge struck down many of those changes, finding the new members of the advisory panel had not been properly appointed.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Fees on advisory work were up more than 80% from last year for both Goldman and JPMorgan, the biggest deal banks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

While the Bunga was the most influential political body in the Transkei, its resolutions were advisory and its decisions subject to review by white magistrates.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela