Consult: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’ฌ
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consult

 

[ kษ™nหˆsสŒlt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in a professional capacity

Seek information or advice from (someone with expertise in a particular area).

Synonyms

ask, confer with, seek advice.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
consult

Use 'consult' when you need professional or expert advice on a particular matter. It is often used in more formal contexts.

  • He decided to consult a lawyer about the contract.
  • You should consult a doctor if the symptoms persist.
seek advice

Use 'seek advice' when you are actively looking for guidance or recommendations from someone knowledgeable. It shows a proactive approach to getting help.

  • She sought advice from her mentor on career choices.
  • They are seeking advice from experts on how to handle the situation.
ask

Use 'ask' when you need to get information or a response from someone, often in a direct and informal way. It is the most general and versatile term.

  • I need to ask my mom if I can go to the party.
  • She asked her teacher about the homework.
confer with

Use 'confer with' when discussing or exchanging opinions with someone, usually in a collaborative or formal setting. It often implies a mutual consultation.

  • The manager will confer with the team before making a decision.
  • I need to confer with my colleague about this project.

Examples of usage

  • He consulted with a financial advisor before making investments.
  • The lawyer consulted his colleagues before making a decision.
  • She consulted a doctor about her health concerns.
Context #2 | Verb

consideration or discussion

Have discussions in order to reach a decision or to consider a particular course of action.

Synonyms

confer, deliberate, discuss.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
consult

Used when seeking professional advice or expertise, often from a specialist or an authoritative source.

  • Before starting the project, they decided to consult an architect
  • She needed to consult her doctor about the symptoms
discuss

Used in general conversations when talking about a topic, idea, or issue with someone else, without a strong emphasis on formal decision-making.

  • Let's discuss our plans for the weekend
  • They needed to discuss the new project details before moving forward
deliberate

Used when discussing or considering something very carefully, often when a decision is pending, emphasizing the thoroughness or careful consideration.

  • The jury will deliberate for several hours before reaching a verdict
  • The board members need time to deliberate on the budget proposal
confer

Used when discussing something important with someone else to reach a decision or to exchange ideas, often in a formal or professional setting.

  • The committee will confer with various experts before making a decision
  • After the meeting, they conferred privately about the next steps

Examples of usage

  • The committee will consult with experts before finalizing the report.
  • The board will consult with shareholders before making a decision.
  • The team consulted each other before presenting the proposal.

Translations

Translations of the word "consult" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น consultar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเคฐเคพเคฎเคฐเฅเคถ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช konsultieren

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ konsultasi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบะพะฝััƒะปัŒั‚ัƒะฒะฐั‚ะธัั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ konsultowaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็›ธ่ซ‡ใ™ใ‚‹ (ใใ†ใ ใ‚“ใ™ใ‚‹)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท consulter

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ consultar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท danฤฑลŸmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ƒ๋‹ดํ•˜๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุดุงูˆุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ konzultovat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ konzultovaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ’จ่ฏข (zฤซxรบn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ posvetovati se

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ rรกรฐfรฆra sig viรฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบะตาฃะตััƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒแƒœแƒกแƒฃแƒšแƒขแƒแƒชแƒ˜แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mษ™slษ™hษ™tlษ™ลŸmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ consultar

Etymology

The word 'consult' originated from the Latin word 'consultare', which means 'to deliberate or consider'. Over the centuries, it evolved to encompass seeking advice or information from experts. The concept of consulting others for guidance has been a fundamental aspect of decision-making and problem-solving processes in various fields.

See also: consultant, consultants, consultation, consultative, consulting.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,192 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.