solicitor
gb/səlˈɪsətɚ/ us/səlˈɪsətɚ/
B1
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Lawyer for advice and lower courts
A lawyer who gives legal advice and works on legal documents, usually in lower courts.
Usage pattern:
a solicitor [verb] for [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'solicitor' with 'barrister' or 'attorney', not realizing that 'solicitor' is mainly used in British English for a specific type of lawyer.
Synonyms
lawyer (General term for someone qualified to practice law; may include barristers and solicitors.)
|
attorney (US term for a lawyer; not specific to the solicitor role.)
Antonyms
barrister (In the UK, a lawyer who mainly represents clients in higher courts, unlike a solicitor.)
Collocations
solicitor general
|criminal solicitor
|family solicitor
|solicitor's office
Themes
law
|business
|government
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She decided to consult a solicitor about her divorce.
- The solicitor prepared the contract for the property sale.
- He works as a criminal solicitor in London.
- Our solicitor will handle all the legal paperwork.
- You should speak to a solicitor before signing that agreement.
Learner examples
- I went to see a solicitor about my problem.
- The solicitor helped me with my house papers.
- My uncle is a solicitor in the city.
- She called her solicitor for advice.
- We met the solicitor at his office.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Person selling goods or services directly
Someone who comes to your home or contacts you to sell something or ask for money.
Usage pattern:
a solicitor [offers/sells] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the legal profession sense, especially in American English where this sales meaning is more common.
Synonyms
salesperson (General term for someone who sells goods or services; not limited to unsolicited contact.)
|
canvasser (Someone who solicits sales, donations, or votes, often by visiting people directly.)
Antonyms
customer (The person who buys rather than sells goods or services.)
Collocations
door-to-door solicitor
|sales solicitor
|charity solicitor
Themes
business
|commerce
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The neighborhood has banned solicitors from knocking on doors.
- A solicitor came by offering a new internet package.
- We were interrupted by a solicitor selling cleaning products.
Learner examples
- A solicitor knocked on my door.
- The store sent a solicitor to my house.
- I told the solicitor I was not interested.
Noun
B2
entity
3
Person asking for donations or support
Someone who asks people to give money or help for a cause.
Usage pattern:
a solicitor [asks] for [donations/support]
Synonyms
fundraiser (Focuses on organizing activities to collect money; may not involve direct personal requests.)
|
campaigner (Focuses more broadly on promoting a cause, which can include soliciting donations.)
Antonyms
donor (The person giving money or support rather than requesting it.)
Collocations
charity solicitor
|political solicitor
Themes
charity
|politics
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The charity sent out solicitors to collect donations.
- Political solicitors visited homes before the election.
- She works as a solicitor for an environmental group.
Learner examples
- A solicitor asked me for money for the school.
- The solicitor wanted help for sick children.
- Two solicitors came to my door for the campaign.
Grammar
Dictionary form
solicitor
IPA
GB/səlˈɪsətɚ/
US/səlˈɪsətɚ/
Syllables & stress
so - li - cit - or (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (li)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: solicitor
- Plural: solicitors
Word family
Forms
solicitors
noun
Core family
solicit
verb B2
Related words
solicitation
noun C1
lawyer
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
unsolicited
adjective
Expressions
no soliciting
1/nˈoʊ səlˈɪsətɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Sign banning uninvited sales or requests
A sign or rule that says people cannot try to sell things or ask for donations without being asked first.
Examples
- The apartment building has a 'No Soliciting' sign on the front door.
- We posted 'No Soliciting' to keep salespeople away.
solicitor general
1/səlˈɪsətɚ d͡ʒˈɛnɚəl/
fixed phrase
formal
Government's chief courtroom lawyer
The top lawyer who represents the government in court cases.
Examples
- The Solicitor General argued the case before the Supreme Court.
- She was appointed Solicitor General last year.