lawyer

noun

law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər How to pronounce lawyer (audio) ˈlȯi-ər How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
Synonyms of lawyernext
: one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise as to legal rights and obligations in other matters
lawyerlike
ˈlȯ-yər-ˌlīk How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
ˈlȯi-ər-
adjective
lawyerly
ˈlȯ-yər-lē How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
ˈlȯi-ər-
adjective

Synonyms of lawyer

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Examples of lawyer in a Sentence

their lawyers told them that they couldn't use the park for the concert without permission from the city
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Guillard's claims continued even after Scofield's lawyers sent her a cease-and-desist order, after Moscow police publicly stated the professor was not a suspect — and even after police arrested Bryan Kohberger in connection with the crimes. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, Katie Zacharia, a lawyer and conservative commentator, will take over as White House press secretary today. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 Five years later, a populist human-rights lawyer named Roh Moo-hyun became President. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, public records show the firms hired to represent the officials racked up hefty legal bills, with some lawyers charging the state $800 an hour. — Kate Payne, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lawyer

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lawyer was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing lawyer

Rhymes for lawyer

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Browse Nearby Words

law-worthy
lawyer
lawyer bush
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Cite this Entry

“Lawyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lawyer. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lawyer

noun
law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər How to pronounce lawyer (audio) ˈlȯi-ər How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
: a person whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise about legal rights and obligations

Legal Definition

lawyer

noun
law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
: one whose profession is to advise clients as to legal rights and obligations and to represent clients in legal proceedings

More from Merriam-Webster on lawyer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lawyer

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