solicitor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Professional
Quick answer
What does “solicitor” mean?
A lawyer who gives legal advice, prepares legal documents, and typically represents clients in lower courts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A lawyer who gives legal advice, prepares legal documents, and typically represents clients in lower courts.
In broader terms, a solicitor is a primary point of contact for legal services, managing client relationships, and instructing barristers for higher court advocacy. In non-legal contexts (chiefly US), it can refer to someone who solicits business, orders, or donations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, a solicitor is a qualified legal professional. In the US, 'solicitor' is not a standard term for a lawyer; 'attorney' or 'lawyer' is used. 'Solicitor' in the US typically means someone who asks for business/money, often uninvited.
Connotations
UK: Professional, respected, integral to the legal system. US: Often commercial, sometimes annoying or associated with pushy sales.
Frequency
High frequency in UK legal/administrative contexts; very low frequency in US general language, except in specific phrases like 'telephone solicitor'.
Grammar
How to Use “solicitor” in a Sentence
solicitor for [clients/company]solicitor at [law firm]solicitor acting on behalf of [sb]solicitor instructed to [verb]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “solicitor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The firm will solicitor the client on the new regulations.
American English
- Charities often solicitor donations via direct mail.
adjective
British English
- The solicitor role requires meticulous attention to detail.
American English
- The solicitor campaign was deemed overly aggressive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company's solicitor reviewed the merger agreement before signing.
Academic
The study examined the changing role of the solicitor in the 19th century English legal system.
Everyday
I need to call my solicitor about the house purchase.
Technical
The right to instruct a solicitor is a fundamental aspect of access to justice.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “solicitor”
- Using 'solicitor' to refer to a US courtroom lawyer. Confusing 'solicitor' with 'barrister' in UK contexts (solicitors do client work; barristers are specialist advocates).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A solicitor is the first point of contact for clients, providing advice, preparing documents, and managing cases. A barrister is a specialist advocate who represents clients in higher courts and provides expert legal opinions, usually instructed by a solicitor.
No, it is misleading. In American English, 'attorney' or 'lawyer' is the correct term. Using 'solicitor' will likely make people think of a salesperson or fundraiser.
No. 'Solicitor General' is a specific high-ranking government law officer (in the UK, US, and other countries) who represents the government in important court cases. It is a distinct, senior political appointment.
The related verb is 'to solicit', meaning to ask for or try to obtain something. This root meaning connects to both the legal professional (one who is sought for advice) and the American commercial meaning.
A lawyer who gives legal advice, prepares legal documents, and typically represents clients in lower courts.
Solicitor is usually formal, professional in register.
Solicitor: in British English it is pronounced /səˈlɪs.ɪ.tər/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˈlɪs.ɪ.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Solicitor General”
- “to have solicitor's manners (archaic, implying excessive politeness for gain)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SOLICITOR as the legal professional you SOLICIT for advice and document preparation.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEGAL SYSTEM AS A STRUCTURE (solicitors are the architects/engineers who design and build the case, while barristers are the specialist decorators or presenters).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'solicitor' most likely to be used in the United States?