Advocate definition: speaking up for someone or something

Advocate definition, sense by sense

1. Verb, to recommend or support publicly: "The report advocates shorter school days."
2. Noun, a public supporter: "She is a strong advocate of cycling to work."
3. Noun, a person who acts for someone who cannot easily speak up: a patient advocate in a hospital, a child advocate in family court.
4. Noun, a lawyer: especially one who argues cases in court. This is the everyday term in India and is also used in Scotland and some other legal systems.

Asked to define advocate in a single phrase? The shortest definition of advocate is "a voice for" something or someone.

Two pronunciations, one spelling

Like several English words, advocate changes its final sound depending on its job:

The same pattern shows up in estimate, graduate and separate.

Advocate or advocate for?

Traditionally the verb takes a direct object: "advocate reform", "advocate a ban". In American English, and increasingly elsewhere, advocate for is very common, especially when the object is a group of people: "advocate for refugees", "advocate for yourself at the doctor's". Both forms are accepted today. A useful tip: with ideas, the plain form often sounds crisper; with people, "advocate for" reads more naturally.

The noun is followed by of or for: "an advocate of free speech", "an advocate for tenants".

Sentences using advocate

• The nurse advocated for the patient when the family could not understand the doctor.
• Our club advocates planting native trees along the river.
• He became an advocate of slow travel after a month on trains.
• She practised as an advocate at the High Court for twenty years.
• When you get a new job offer, learn to advocate for yourself during salary talks.

The lawyer sense in India and elsewhere

In India, a law graduate who enrolls with a State Bar Council becomes an advocate and may appear in courts. Senior members can be designated Senior Advocates. In the US, people usually say attorney or lawyer, and use advocate more for the supporter sense. In the UK, barrister and solicitor are the usual titles, while advocate is the term in Scotland's highest courts.

Called to help: the Latin root

The noun is old; it was in use in medieval English, borrowed by way of French from Latin advocatus, meaning one called to help, especially in a court. It is built from ad, to, and vocare, to call, the same root as voice and vocal. The verb grew from the noun later. The famous phrase devil's advocate began as a church office: a person whose job was to argue against a candidate for sainthood so the case would be tested. Today it means someone who argues the other side just to test an idea.

Supporter, champion, ally: shades of support

• Supporter: likes or backs something, perhaps quietly. An advocate speaks out.
• Champion: a very active, passionate advocate.
• Ally: someone who stands beside a group, often without being part of it.
• Activist: takes direct action for a cause, such as campaigning or protesting.
• Proxy: acts in someone's place with permission, not necessarily arguing for them.

Related ideas on fairness appear on our justice page, and the sworn statements that advocates often prepare are explained under affidavit.