French word

avocat

Pronunciation

IPA/avoka/

Meaning

  • masculine nounlawyer

Example

Mon avocat m'a conseillé de ne pas signer.

My lawyer advised me not to sign.

Illustration for avocat (lawyer)

More examples

L'avocat a plaidé en faveur de son client.

The lawyer pleaded in favor of his client.

Core concept

A legal expert beside a client, giving counsel and presenting the client's position through legal proceedings.

Common phrases

  • prendre un avocat

    hire a lawyer

  • consulter un avocat

    consult a lawyer

  • avocat de la défense

    defense lawyer

Similar words

notaire: A legal official who draws up and certifies documents for property and inheritance matters.
juriste: A legal professional providing advice and drafting documents within a company or organization.
défenseur: A lawyer who defends an accused person and argues for them in criminal proceedings.
procureur: An official who investigates and prosecutes crimes on behalf of the state.

Definition in French

Professionnel du droit qui conseille les personnes sur leurs droits et les représente en justice.

Word origin

Avocat is an inherited legal term from Latin advocatus, the past participle of advocare, "to summon for assistance."

Usage tips

  • French avocat also means avocado, so the intended sense depends on context, especially in shopping or food-related phrases.

Other meanings

  • avocadonoun

Opposites

Related words

  • avocatefemale lawyernoun
  • avocat-conseillegal advisernoun

Word lists with this word