advise

/ədˈvaɪz/
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Guidance about what should be done, formal notice of important information, and a rarer formal use for consulting before a decision.

Examples

  • The board advised with outside experts on the risk.
  • Officials advise residents against nonessential travel.
  • I advise taking the earlier train.
  • Applicants will be advised of the result by email.
  • The trustees advised with counsel before signing the agreement.

Similar words

confer
alert
guide
urge
consult
counsel
confer with
recommend
tell
discuss

Meanings

Give guidance

verb
guidance
neutral
To tell someone what seems best or safest to do, often from experience, knowledge, or authority.

Examples

  • I advise taking the earlier train.
  • The doctor advised her to rest for a few days.
  • Officials advise residents against nonessential travel.
  • The committee advised that the plan be revised.
  • She advises clients on tax law.

Similar words

Give official notice

verb
administration
formal
To tell someone information in a formal or official way, especially about a right, change, decision, or requirement.

Examples

  • The airline advised passengers of the delay.
  • Applicants will be advised of the result by email.
  • Please advise us of any change in your address.
  • The solicitor advised that the costs could rise.
  • Keep me advised of any new developments.

Similar words

Consult before deciding

verb
decision-making
formal
To talk with someone in order to consider a problem or decide what should be done, now mostly in formal or legal contexts.

Examples

  • The trustees advised with counsel before signing the agreement.
  • He advised with his partners before accepting the offer.
  • The board advised with outside experts on the risk.
  • She advised with her lawyer before answering.
  • The committee advised with local leaders before acting.

Similar words

Etymology

From Middle English avisen, from Old French aviser, meaning to deliberate or consider. The word is tied to avis, meaning opinion, and ultimately to a Latin idea of something seeming or being seen.

FAQ

What does advise mean?

Advise means to give guidance about what should be done, to formally inform someone, or more rarely to consult before deciding.

What is the difference between advise and advice?

Advise is the verb, as in advise a client. Advice is the noun, as in give advice.

Is advise a noun?

No. The noun is advice. Use advise only as a verb.

What preposition follows advise?

Common patterns are advise someone to do something, advise against something, advise someone on a subject, and advise someone of a fact.

Can advise mean inform?

Yes. In formal writing, advise someone of something means to inform or notify them.

What does advise with mean?

Advise with means to consult with someone before deciding, but it is formal and uncommon in everyday English.

What are common synonyms of advise?

Common synonyms include counsel, recommend, suggest, guide, inform, and notify, depending on the sense.

What is the past tense of advise?

The past tense and past participle are advised.

How is advise pronounced?

Advise is pronounced /ədˈvaɪz/, with a final z sound.

Is the old meaning consider still current?

The old sense meaning consider or look at is obsolete. Modern use keeps that history mainly in the rarer advise with pattern.

Comments & contributions

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Snowy Kingfisher
Jul 13
i see Kindly advice in work emails from India/Gulf offices a lot. People understand it, sure, but standard written English wants Kindly advise, and for the noun its still some advice, not an advice or advices
1
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Civil Sandpiper
Jul 11
small pattern thing: you advise a person, but recommend a thing to a person. advise me about good books is possible, recommend some books to me is normal, advise me good books sounds wrong.
1
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Brisk Wren
Jul 9
Where this word trips people up is when they only need a fact. Please advise on the venue can mean tell me where it is, but it can also sound like you want advice about which venue to choose. If the answer is just a room name, Please let me know the venue is much less annoying.
2
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Neat Wren
Jun 29
Please advise is email language. In speech it sounds weird to me, like reading a support ticket out loud
4
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Violet Bison
Jul 3
same, my manager writes it ten times a week but nobody says it in meetings
1
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