paralegal
Americannoun
adjective
noun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of paralegal
Explanation
A paralegal is a legal assistant. Paralegals don't have to go to law school, but they do have special training to help lawyers. The prefix para is used for something that is separate from the word it’s next to but still related to it. A paraprofessional, for example, helps other professionals, like teachers, but isn’t actually a teacher. Paralegals are not lawyers, but they assist lawyers by doing research, filing paperwork, gathering materials, and providing whatever else lawyers need to do their jobs. Without paralegals, the job of a lawyer would be a lot tougher.
Vocabulary lists containing paralegal
When You Reach Me
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para-
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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.
As of Friday last week that number has fallen to one, who is working with the three remaining investigators and one paralegal, according to former attorneys in the office.
From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026
Guerra, a paralegal in Dayton, Ohio, said her husband liked to use his phone to look up information about the movies they were watching.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026
In the summer of 2020, I was working as a paralegal in Austin, Texas, remotely filling out asylum applications for migrants who were trapped in a dangerous limbo.
From Slate • Jan. 15, 2026
A paralegal who was secretly filmed telling a BBC undercover reporter how he can help businesses avoid fines of up to £60,000 for employing illegal workers, has been sacked.
From BBC • Nov. 17, 2025
If a paralegal asked me a question about her future, I’d open my office door and share my journey or offer some advice.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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.
