advocate

American  

[ad-vuh-keyt, ad-vuh-kit, -keyt] / ˈæd vəˌkeɪt, ˈæd və kɪt, -ˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object)

advocated, advocating

1. to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly.

   He advocated higher salaries for teachers.

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verb (used without object)

advocated, advocating

1. to act as an advocate.

   a father who advocates for his disabled child.

noun

1. a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. (usually followed byof ).

   an advocate of peace.

   Synonyms:

   backer, proponent, champion

2. a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor.

3. a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law.

   Synonyms:

   solicitor, barrister, counsel, counselor, attorney, lawyer

advocate British  

verb

1. (tr; may take a clause as object) to support or recommend publicly; plead for or speak in favour of

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noun

1. a person who upholds or defends a cause; supporter

2. a person who intercedes on behalf of another

3. a person who pleads his client's cause in a court of law See also barrister solicitor counsellor

4. Scots law the usual word for barrister

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preadvocate
  noun
• advocator
  noun
• nonadvocate
  noun
• well-advocated
  adjective
• advocatory
  adjective
• readvocate
  verb (used with object)
• preadvocate
  verb (used with object)
• unadvocated
  adjective
• advocative
  adjective
• subadvocate
  noun

Etymology

Origin of advocate

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin advocātus “legal counselor,” originally past participle of advocāre “to call to one's aid,” equivalent to ad- ad- + vocāre “to call” (akin to vōx voice ); replacing Middle English avocat, from Middle French

Explanation

An advocate (AD-və-kit) is someone who supports a cause, like an advocate for outdoor recess. Advocate (AD-və-kate) is also a verb meaning to speak in favor of, so you can advocate for that outdoor recess by urging your school to play outside! As a noun, an advocate is a person who represents another person’s interests, like a lawyer does. In fact, the word comes from the courtroom — it’s from Latin advocare, to “add” a “voice.” To advocate is to add a voice of support to a cause or person. An advocate is anyone who adds that voice by representing another person in court, or by supporting or working toward a particular course of action.

Example Sentences

Throughout his career, he was a fierce, joyful advocate for interfaith coexistence.

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2026

So if you’re gunning for a job that is unlike what you studied or did in the past, you need references who will advocate taking a chance on you.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

She asked if Scotland's top law officer, the lord advocate, would publish the reasons why the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service did not pursue charges against the former first minister.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Rae Huang, a minister and housing rights advocate, said if elected mayor she would immediately replace McDonnell with someone who has the “ability to really reimagine what public safety really looks like.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

Michelangelo replied, “He is satan! Or rather, a satan. In Hebrew, satan means an advocate of the alternative, the one who makes the arguments you don’t know how to refute.”

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

Related Words

• back
• campaign for
• defend
• encourage
• favor
• further
• justify
• press for
• promote
• propose
• push
• recommend
• support
• tout
• uphold
• urge