lawyer

[ law-yer, loi-er ]

noun

1. a person whose profession is to represent clients in a court of law or to advise or act for clients in other legal matters.
2. New Testament. an interpreter of the Mosaic Law. Luke 14:3.

verb (used without object)

1. to work as a lawyer; practice law.

verb (used with object)

1. to submit (a case, document, or the like) to a lawyer for examination, advice, clarification, etc.

verb phrase

1. Informal. to hire a lawyer, especially when there is a perceived risk of being sued or charged with a crime:

   It’s time to lawyer up to protect yourself and your family.

lawyer

/ ˈlɔːjə; ˈlɔɪə /

noun

1. a member of the legal profession, esp a solicitor See also advocate barrister solicitor
2. a popular name for burbot

Other Words From

• lawyer·like lawyer·ly adjective
• de·lawyer verb (used with object)
• non·lawyer noun
• under·lawyer noun
• un·lawyer·like adjective
• un·lawyer·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lawyer¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, lawyer is from the Middle English word lawyere. See law ¹, -ier ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lawyer¹

C14: from law ¹

Example Sentences

Ibarra’s lawyers had argued that evidence linking him to Ms Riley’s death was “circumstantial”.

From BBC

In a statement issued by her lawyer she said she regards the premiere as an attempt to profit from her daughter’s death.

From BBC

Today his lawyer insists he was the victim of “extortion.”

From Salon

Defence lawyers said she suffered a mental breakdown and wanted to die with her children but left the car at the last minute.

From BBC

Her former husband, an ex-police officer, and her lawyer, were handed prison terms of one year and four months, and two years respectively, for hiding evidence to help her evade prosecution.

From BBC

Related Words

• advocate
• counselor