advisor
gb/ædvˈaɪzɚ/ us/ædvˈaɪzɚ/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
person who gives advice
A person whose job is to give advice.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an advisor (to/on [something])
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse advisor (a person) with advise (a verb). Also, adviser is a common alternative spelling.
Synonyms
consultant (Often paid for specialized professional advice.)
|
counselor (More common for personal guidance or in American English spelling.)
|
mentor (Usually longer-term guidance, often in career or study.)
Collocations
trusted advisor
|personal advisor
|senior advisor
|expert advisor
|independent advisor
|advisor to the CEO
|advisor to the president
|act as an advisor
|appoint an advisor
|seek advice from an advisor
Themes
daily_life
|work
|business
Examples
- She works as an advisor to several nonprofit organizations.
- Ask your advisor before you sign anything.
- The board hired an external advisor to review the plan.
Learner examples
- My advisor gave me good advice.
- He is an advisor to the company.
Noun
B2
entity
2
university course-planning advisor
A person at a school who helps students plan their studies.
Usage pattern:
[someone] meet(s) with an academic advisor
Common mistake:
Not the same as a teacher; an academic advisor focuses on planning courses and requirements.
Synonyms
student counselor (Often broader support; may include personal issues as well as classes.)
Collocations
academic advisor
|faculty advisor
|meet with your advisor
|advisor meeting
|advisor office hours
|assigned advisor
|major advisor
|first-year advisor
|advisor approval
|advisor recommendation
Themes
education
|university
Examples
- You should talk to your academic advisor before changing your major.
- Her advisor helped her map out a four-year plan.
- Students must get their advisor’s approval to add the course.
Learner examples
- I will meet my academic advisor tomorrow.
Noun
business
C1
entity
3
money and investment advisor
A professional who helps you plan and manage your money.
Usage pattern:
[someone] hire(s) a financial advisor
Common mistake:
A financial advisor may sell products (like investments or insurance); check whether they are independent.
Synonyms
financial planner (Emphasizes budgeting and long-term planning, especially retirement.)
Collocations
financial advisor
|investment advisor
|independent financial advisor
|fee-only advisor
|retirement advisor
|wealth advisor
|work with an advisor
|hire an advisor
|advisor fees
|advisor recommendations
Themes
money
|finance
|business
Examples
- They hired a financial advisor to help plan for retirement.
- A good advisor will explain the risks as well as the potential returns.
- She asked her advisor whether the fees were worth it.
Learner examples
- My parents have a financial advisor.
Noun
C1
entity
4
advisor in politics or government
A person who gives advice to a political leader.
Usage pattern:
[someone] serve(s) as an advisor to [a leader/official]
Common mistake:
Advisor is not necessarily an elected official; it can be an appointed staff role.
Synonyms
aide (Often broader support work, not only advice.)
|
strategist (Focuses on planning tactics, especially in campaigns.)
Collocations
political advisor
|policy advisor
|senior advisor
|special advisor
|communications advisor
|advisor to the minister
|advisor to the president
|government advisor
|campaign advisor
|chief advisor
Themes
politics
|government
|media
Examples
- She became a senior advisor to the mayor on housing policy.
- The minister met with advisors before the press conference.
- His advisor warned him that the proposal would be unpopular.
Learner examples
- He is an advisor to the president.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
5
person giving legal guidance
A professional who gives advice about the law.
Usage pattern:
[someone] consult(s) a legal advisor about [something]
Common mistake:
Legal advice is a specific service; in many places only qualified professionals can give it.
Synonyms
attorney (More general; a legal advisor may focus mainly on advising rather than representing in court.)
|
lawyer (General term; legal advisor stresses the advisory role.)
Collocations
legal advisor
|in-house legal advisor
|consult a legal advisor
|seek legal advice
|advisor reviewed the contract
|legal advisor confirmed
|legal advisor warned
|legal advisor’s opinion
|compliance advisor
|contract advisor
Themes
law
|business
Examples
- Before signing the lease, she asked a legal advisor to review it.
- Their legal advisor said the company could be liable.
- The contract was rewritten on the advisor’s recommendation.
Learner examples
- We need a legal advisor for this contract.
Noun
C1
entity
6
dormitory student leader (US)
A student leader who helps in a dorm.
Usage pattern:
[someone] talk(s) to the resident advisor
Common mistake:
This is a specific campus housing role, mainly in North American universities.
Synonyms
RA (Common abbreviation in North American campus housing.)
Collocations
resident advisor
|RA (resident advisor)
|hall advisor
|dorm advisor
|call the RA
|resident advisor on duty
|RA training
|RA meeting
|talk to your RA
|report to the RA
Themes
education
|housing
|daily_life
Examples
- If you lock yourself out, contact the resident advisor on duty.
- The resident advisor organized a floor meeting about quiet hours.
- Students often go to their RA for help with roommate issues.
Learner examples
- I asked the resident advisor for help.
Grammar
Dictionary form
advisor
IPA
GB/ædvˈaɪzɚ/
US/ædvˈaɪzɚ/
Syllables & stress
ad - visor (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (visor)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: advisor
- Plural: advisors
Word family
Expressions
academic advisor
1/ˌækədˈɛmɪk ædvˈaɪzɚ/
fixed phrase
university course planning help
A person at school who helps you choose classes.
Examples
- Your academic advisor can help you choose electives.
- She scheduled an appointment with her academic advisor.
career advisor
1/kɚˈɪɹ ædvˈaɪzɚ/
fixed phrase
help with career choices
A person who helps you choose a job and find work.
Examples
- A career advisor helped him rewrite his résumé.
- She met a career advisor to discuss internships.
financial advisor
1/fɪnˈænʃəl ædvˈaɪzɚ/
fixed phrase
business
professional money advice
A professional who helps you plan your money.
Examples
- A financial advisor can help you set long-term goals.
- He met with a financial advisor to review his investments.
legal advisor
1/lˈiɡəl ædvˈaɪzɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
advice about the law
A professional who gives advice about the law.
Examples
- The legal advisor reviewed the agreement before it was signed.
- They contacted a legal advisor about their options.
political advisor
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl ædvˈaɪzɚ/
fixed phrase
advice to political leaders
A person who advises a politician.
Examples
- The candidate hired a political advisor for the campaign.
- A political advisor briefed the senator before the debate.
resident advisor
1/ɹˈɛzɪdənt ædvˈaɪzɚ/
fixed phrase
student leader in a dorm
A student who helps manage a dorm.
Examples
- The resident advisor was on duty all weekend.
- If there’s a problem on your floor, tell the resident advisor.
special advisor
1/spˈɛʃəl ædvˈaɪzɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
expert appointed to advise
An expert chosen to advise on one topic.
Examples
- The agency appointed a special advisor on cybersecurity.
- She served as a special advisor to the project team during the transition.
trusted advisor
1/tɹˈʌstɪd ædvˈaɪzɚ/
fixed phrase
reliable person for advice
Someone you trust to give good advice.
Examples
- Over time, she became a trusted advisor to the founder.
- He asked a few trusted advisors before making the announcement.