con ‧ sult S3 W3 AC /kənˈsʌlt/ BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ consultation , ↑ consultancy , ↑ consultant , ↑ consulting ; adjective : ↑ consultative , ↑ consulting ; verb : ↑ consult ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: French ; Origin: consulter , from Latin consultare , from consulere 'to discuss, consult' ]
1 . [intransitive and 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.
REGISTER
In 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 . [intransitive and 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 . [transitive] to look for information in a book, map, list etc:
Have you consulted a dictionary?
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ consult formal to get advice from someone who is trained in a particular profession, for example a lawyer or a doctor:
You 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 English:
I think he needs to see a doctor.
|
Why don’t you go and see an accountant?
▪ ask sb’s advice to ask someone to tell you what they think you should do in a particular situation:
I 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 idea:
Check with your doctor before starting on a new exercise program.
▪ turn to somebody to go to someone to ask for help, advice, or sympathy:
Many people who were struggling to repay mortgages turned to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau for help.
▪ pick sb’s brains informal to ask someone who knows a lot about something for their ideas about it:
The conference was a great place to meet other managers and pick their brains about issues I was also facing.