Word family noun consultation consultancy consultant consulting adjective consultative consulting verb consult
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishconsultcon‧sult /kənˈsʌlt/ ●●○ S3 W3 AWL verb 1 ASK A QUESTION[intransitive, transitive] to ask for information or advice from someone because it is their job to know something If symptoms persist, consult a doctor without delay.consult somebody about something An increasing number of people are consulting their accountants about the tax laws.consult with I need to consult with my lawyer.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say ask someone, or see someone, rather than consult someone:You need to ask your lawyer.I think you should go and see your doctor.2 DISCUSS[intransitive, transitive] to discuss something with someone so that you can make a decision together I can’t believe you sold the car without consulting me!consult with The president consulted with European leaders before taking action.3 LOOK FOR[transitive] to look for information in a book, map, list etc Have you consulted a dictionary?THESAURUSconsult formal to get advice from someone who is trained in a particular profession, for example a lawyer or a doctorYou should consult your lawyer before exchanging contracts.see to go to someone and ask them for for their advice, especially a professional person such as a lawyer or doctor. See is the usual word to use in everyday EnglishI think he needs to see a doctor.Why don’t you go and see an accountant? ask somebody’s advice to ask someone to tell you what they think you should do in a particular situationI asked my teacher’s advice when it was time to apply for colleges.check with somebody to ask someone whether something is correct or a good ideaCheck with your doctor before starting on a new exercise program.turn to somebody to go to someone to ask for help, advice, or sympathyMany people who were struggling to repay mortgages turned to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau for help.pick somebody’s brains informal to ask someone who knows a lot about something for their ideas about itThe conference was a great place to meet other managers and pick their brains about issues I was also facing. → See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
consult• Experienced science teachers have been involved at every stage and more than 100 schools were consulted.• No supervisor or manager is consulted.• One immediate benefit for patients may be fewer restrictions on which specialists can be consulted.• To determine whether a tree really is a beech or a maple, one consults a tree specialist.• There was insufficient recognition that some of the voluntary organisations who helped with the plans do not adequately consult disabled people.• Tonight the President will consult his military observers about the likelihood of an attack.• Those with the required capital and experience can establish their own management consulting, management services, or facilities support services firm.• I want to consult my lawyer before I say anything.• Your directors would consult the appropriate investor protection bodies before making any cash issue in excess of the guidelines.• Consult the classified pages of any newspaper to find job offers.• No one has been able to consult the Jarawa about what they want because no one speaks their language.• The President is going to consult with European leaders before making his decision.• We've consulted with several engineers about the best way to support the bridge.• Before starting any exercise program, you should consult your doctor.• If the symptoms persist, consult your doctor.• Before making any changes, consult your family to find out which activities are most important to them.• If your memory problems do not improve, consult your physician.consult with• You should consider consulting with a lawyer.• The administration is consulting with allies on the treatment of Libya.Origin consult (1500-1600) French consulter, from Latin consultare, from consulere “to discuss, consult” 