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
- attorneyship noun
- subattorney noun
- subattorneyship noun
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.
Working with Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the first assistant U.S. attorney, Bill Essayli, revealed that Expert Wound Care, which does business as St. Victoria Home Care, is the target of a federal probe.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026
US District Judge Cameron Currie tossed the indictment against Comey because of prosecutor Lindsey Halligan's "invalid" appointment as US attorney.
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
OpenAI co-founders Sam Altman and Greg Brockman "are confident in their position and look forward to the facts being known," their attorney, William Savitt, said outside the courthouse after jurors were selected Monday.
From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026
The company also offers customers the ability to consult with an estate attorney in its network for $299.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
The U.S. assistant attorney general, who oversaw the federal prison system, had asked White if he would take over as warden of Leavenworth prison, in Kansas.
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.
