paralegal

adjective

para·​le·​gal ˌper-ə-ˈlē-gəl 

ˌpa-rə-

: of, relating to, or being a paraprofessional who assists a lawyer

paralegal

ˈper-ə-ˌlē-gəl 

ˈpa-rə-

noun

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Much of the work in a law office can be done by paralegal assistants, also called legal aides or simply paralegals, who work alongside licensed lawyers. Often a paralegal is trained in a narrow field and then entrusted with it. In this respect, paralegals are similar to paraprofessionals in other fields, such as engineering. Paraprofessionals used to be trained in the office itself, but today it's common to study for a paraprofessional certificate or degree at a community college or university.

Examples of paralegal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For paralegal Celeste Jameson, 41, her monthly insurance premiums will more than double next year, from $266 to $593. —NPR, 20 Nov. 2025

Alexis had already spent four years working as a personal injury paralegal during her college years. —William Jones, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025

Butcher and paralegal Glenda Olsen deserve recognition, too, Dickerson said. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Nov. 2025

Investigators found Javier Martinez Calzada, a paralegal, marketed legal help to a man seeking a paternity test for a custody case. —Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paralegal

• extralegal
• beagle
• eagle
• legal
• regal
• riegel
• spiegel
• illegal
• viceregal
• medicolegal

Legal Definition

paralegal

adjective

para·​le·​gal ˌpar-ə-ˈlē-gəl 

: of, relating to, or being a paraprofessional who assists a lawyer compare clerk sense 2b

paralegal noun