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

As such, voters might have felt that another wage hike was unnecessary, said Chris Thornberg, an economist who founded Beacon Economics, a research and consulting firm in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

If a child's anger becomes severe, frequent, or unmanageable, it may be helpful to consult a therapist or counselor.

From Science Daily

After consulting experts on ethics, the university decided to issue an appeal through the BBC.

From BBC

Barnett’s consulting and ghostwriting services “dried up with so much of the rest of the economy,” with the pair relying on charity and programs like Meals on Wheels, as well as plenty of oatmeal.

From Salon

Vetro works pretty much round the clock, often consulting in several time zones.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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