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Definition of attorney

attorney

/əˈtɜːr.ni/
at · tor · ney
Plural:attorneys
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attorney Lexical Profile

attorney Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

American A qualified legal professional who is licensed to practice law, advise clients on legal matters, and represent them in court.

Example

"The defense attorney cross-examined the key witness during the afternoon session of the trial."

2

A person legally appointed or empowered by another to act as their agent in transacting business, managing financial affairs, or making legal decisions.

Example

"Before undergoing major surgery, she appointed her eldest daughter as her attorney to manage her estate and financial obligations."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for attorney

Word Nuance & Usage

In American usage, while 'lawyer' refers to anyone educated in law, 'attorney' (specifically 'attorney-at-law') strictly denotes a practitioner licensed to represent clients in court; additionally, its plural is always 'attorneys' rather than '-ies', EXCEPT in the compound 'attorney general', which pluralizes as 'attorneys general'.

• Rhymes for attorney

• Nearby Words

attire
attitude
attitudinal
attorney
attract
attractant
attraction

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English from Anglo-French 'atourné' (literally 'one appointed'), the past participle of Old French 'atorner' ('to assign, appoint, or turn over to'), formed from 'a-' ('to') and 'torner' ('to turn').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Attorney. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/attorney
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