consult

[ verb kuhn-suhlt; noun kon-suhlt, kuhn-suhlt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to seek advice or information from; ask guidance from:

   Consult your lawyer before signing the contract.

2. to refer to for information:

   Consult your dictionary for the spelling of the word.

3. to have regard for (a person's interest, convenience, etc.) in making plans.
4. Obsolete. to meditate, plan, or contrive.

verb (used without object)

1. to consider or deliberate; take counsel; confer (usually followed by with ):

   He consulted with his doctor.

2. to give professional or expert advice; serve as consultant.

noun

1. a consultation.
2. Archaic. a secret meeting, especially one for seditious purposes.

consult

/ kənˈsʌlt /

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by with to ask advice from (someone); confer with (someone)
2. tr to refer to for information

   to consult a map

3. tr to have regard for (a person's feelings, interests, etc) in making decisions or plans; consider
4. intr to make oneself available to give professional advice, esp at scheduled times and for a fee

Derived Forms

• conˈsulter, noun
• conˈsultable, adjective

Other Words From

• precon·sult verb
• recon·sult verb
• uncon·sulted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consult¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French consulter, from Latin consultāre “to deliberate,” literally, “to advise repeatedly,” from consulere “to advise, consider, seek advice from”; consul

Word History and Origins

Origin of consult¹

C17: from French consulter, from Latin consultāre to reflect, take counsel, from consulere to consult

Synonym Study

Consult, confer imply talking over a situation or a subject with someone to decide points in doubt. To consult is to seek from a presumably qualified person or source advice, opinion, etc.: to consult an authority. To confer is to exchange views: The partners conferred concerning their business.

Example Sentences

Schools in England could soon be judged on how inclusive they are and how well they support vulnerable children, under changes to inspection which Ofsted will consult on early next year.

From BBC

The Charity Commission found the couple failed to consult the trustees about the spa complex, which suggested "they were using the charity and its name inappropriately for their private benefit".

From BBC

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency previously warned people not to buy pre-filled pens claiming to contain weight-loss drugs, but to consult a healthcare professional qualified to prescribe medicines.

From BBC

He also accused the Home Office of a “total lack of transparency”, saying local authorities were not being consulted.

From BBC

To test this, they first consulted a neural connectivity database and then did experiments to trace the connections between these different brain areas.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• argue
• brainstorm
• call in
• consider
• deliberate
• discuss
• examine
• huddle
• interview
• negotiate
• respect
• review
• turn to