attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē 

plural attorneys

: one who is legally appointed to transact business on another's behalf

especially : lawyer

attorneyship

ə-ˈtər-nē-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms of attorney

• deputy
• representative
• delegate
• agent
• manager
• minister

Examples of attorney in a Sentence

talked to the count's attorney about buying land from his estate

finished law school and became an attorney

Recent Examples on the Web

Thompson's attorneys had argued in filings with the Supreme Court that he was not allowed to challenge the prosecution's evidence that concluded Hayslip died from a gunshot wound in her face. —Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026

Ford, a member of Rhode Island’s Narragansett Indian tribe who also has a Nigerian and Laotian background, was studying to be an entertainment attorney. —Deasia Paige, AJC.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Young’s attorney declined to comment. —Michael Biesecker, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026

Ploeger's attorney, Jason Luczak, argued that Ploeger fully cooperated with an independent investigation into how the district handled the allegations against Gilkey-Meisegeier. —Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attourney, from Anglo-French aturné, past participle of aturner — see attorn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing attorney

• attorney-at-law
• attorney general
• court-appointed attorney
• district attorney
• power of attorney
• prosecuting attorney
• state's attorney

Rhymes for attorney

• mcburney
• burnie
• gurney
• journey
• tourney

Kids Definition

attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē 

plural attorneys

: a person who is appointed to conduct business for another

especially : lawyer

Legal Definition

attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē 

plural attorneys

: a person authorized to act on another's behalf

especially : lawyer see also attorney-in-fact

Etymology

Anglo-French atorné legal representative, from past participle of atorner to designate, appoint, from Old French, to prepare, arrange see attorn