attorney
Americannoun
plural
attorneys-
a lawyer; attorney-at-law.
-
an attorney-in-fact; agent.
noun
-
a person legally appointed or empowered to act for another
-
a lawyer qualified to represent clients in legal proceedings
-
a solicitor
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of attorney
1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French attourne literally, “(one who is) turned to,” i.e., “(one who is) appointed,” past participle of attourner “to attorn ”
Explanation
An attorney is a lawyer. Attorneys sue people, defend people, and serve as experts on the law. When there's any kind of legal issue, attorneys will be involved. They're the legal experts with law degrees who are also known as "lawyers." You'll often find them in court, defending clients or trying to put criminals in jail. Attorneys work for businesses, schools, the government, and individuals. So if you get arrested, need to write a will, or have to hash out a binding contract, an attorney is the person to call.
Vocabulary lists containing attorney
Monster
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Occupations
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Flush
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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.
In Washington, attorney David Sobel last month sued to find out how the interpretive sign about Senator Francis Griffith Newlands was removed from the fountain near his home.
From Barron's • May 17, 2026
Court records do not indicate whether Al-Saadi is represented by an attorney.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026
As we wrote last week, former congressman, state attorney general, and Biden Cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra has leapt in the polls since former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s exit from the race.
From Slate • May 16, 2026
In March, the attorney general in Florida announced in a news conference that the state was reopening an investigation into Raúl Castro's alleged role in the incident.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
He beseeched Leahy to ask Flint Moss, an attorney whom Burkhart knew, to come see him.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
