lawyer

noun

law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər  ˈlȯi-ər 

: one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise as to legal rights and obligations in other matters

lawyerlike

ˈlȯ-yər-ˌlīk 

ˈlȯi-ər-

adjective

lawyerly

ˈlȯ-yər-lē 

ˈlȯi-ər-

adjective

Synonyms of lawyer

• attorney
• advocate
• counselor

Examples of lawyer in a Sentence

their lawyers told them that they couldn't use the park for the concert without permission from the city

Recent Examples on the Web

Following the end of Musk’s testimony on Thursday, his lawyers called Jared Birchall, who manages Musk’s family office, as their next witness. —Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 2 May 2026

While serving as dean, Carmichael acted as co-counsel in numerous cases with renowned Black lawyer Scipio Africanus Jones. —Arkansas Online, 2 May 2026

John Scola, Ernyey’s lawyer, said age is like gender and race — factors that cannot be disqualifying so long as one meets the other requirements, including physical fitness. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026

Most of these executions were carried out secretly and without notice to the prisoners' families or lawyers, according to the CHRI. —Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 2 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lawyer

• canon lawyer
• criminal lawyer
• jailhouse lawyer
• lawyer up
• Philadelphia lawyer
• sea lawyer
• trial lawyer

Rhymes for lawyer

• sawyer

Kids Definition

lawyer

noun

law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər  ˈlȯi-ər 

: a person whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise about legal rights and obligations

Legal Definition

lawyer

noun

law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər 

: one whose profession is to advise clients as to legal rights and obligations and to represent clients in legal proceedings