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Synonyms

consultative

American  
[kuhn-suhl-tuh-tiv, kon-suhl-tey-tiv] / kənˈsʌl tə tɪv, ˈkɒn səlˌteɪ tɪv /
Also consultatory

adjective

  1. of or relating to consultation; advisory.

consultative British  
/ kənˈsʌltətərɪ, kənˈsʌltətɪv, -trɪ /

adjective

  1. available for, relating to, or involving consultation; advisory

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • consultatively adverb
  • nonconsultative adjective
  • nonconsultatory adjective
  • unconsultative adjective
  • unconsultatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of consultative

First recorded in 1575–85; consultat(ion) + -ive

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.

The last time the idea of secession gained serious momentum was in 1993 when a consultative referendum saw 65 percent of residents support independence -- but the plan got mired in opposition from state officials.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Promised by the end of 2025, a consultative panel on social media use promised by von der Leyen is now expected to be set up "early" this year.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

A spokesperson for Cosla, the group that represents local authorities, said it was disappointed that the teaching unions were progressing their consultative ballots.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025

The Royal College of Nursing is calling for talks with ministers over pay issues after a consultative ballot of members showed a large majority opposing the 3.6% pay award.

From BBC • Aug. 10, 2025

There was fear among the other organizations that the ANC would attempt to dominate it, and the committee’s rules were crafted so that its powers were purely consultative and its decisions not binding.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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.