consult

UK: /kənˈsʌlt/

US: /kənˈsʌlt/

US: (v. kən sult′; n. kon′sult, kən sult′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•sult /kənˈsʌlt/   v. 

1. to seek guidance or information from: [~ + object]
   Be sure to consult a lawyer.
   [~ + with + object]
   Be sure to consult with a lawyer before you do anything.
2. [~ + object] to refer to (a book, etc.) for information:
   to consult a dictionary.
3. [no object] to give professional or expert advice;
   serve or work as a consultant.

Synonyms

consult, confer imply talking over a situation or a subject with someone. To consult is to seek advice, opinions, or guidance from a qualified person or source: to consult with a financial analyst. To confer is to exchange views, ideas, or information in a discussion: The partners conferred about the decline in sales.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•sult  (v. kən sult′;n. kon′sult, kən sult′), v.t. 

1. to seek advice or information from;
   ask guidance from:
   Consult your lawyer before signing the contract.
2. to refer to for information:
   Consult your dictionary for the spelling of the word.
3. to have regard for (a person's interest, convenience, etc.) in making plans.
4. [Obs.] to meditate, plan, or contrive.

v.i. 

5. to consider or deliberate;
   take counsel;
   confer (usually fol. by with):
   He consulted with his doctor.
6. to give professional or expert advice;
   serve as consultant.

n. 

7. a consultation.
8. [Archaic.] a secret meeting, esp. one for seditious purposes.

• Latin consultāre to deliberate, consult, frequentative of consulere to consult, take counsel; compare consul
• Middle French consulter)
• (1525–35

Synonyms

• 1. Consult, confer imply talking over a situation or a subject with someone to decide points in doubt. To consult is to seek from a presumably qualified person or source advice, opinion, etc.:
  to consult an authority.
  To confer is to exchange views:
  The partners conferred concerning their business.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

consult / kənˈsʌlt/ verb

1. when intr, often followed by with: to ask advice from (someone); confer with (someone)
2. (transitive) to refer to for information: to consult a map
3. (transitive) to have regard for (a person's feelings, interests, etc) in making decisions or plans; consider
4. (intransitive) to make oneself available to give professional advice, esp at scheduled times and for a fee

Etymology: 17th Century: from French consulter, from Latin consultāre to reflect, take counsel, from consulere to consult