Advocate Meaning
/ˈæd.və.kət/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounSomeone whose job is to speak for someone's case in a court of law; a counsel.
nounAnyone who argues the case of another; an intercessor.
Sentence Examples
You should advocate disarmament.
More and more environmentalists advocate and use environmentally friendly unleaded petrol in cars.
The group does not advocate the use of violence.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The lawyer will ____ for the defendant's innocence in court tomorrow.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She is a strong ____ for the protection of endangered species worldwide.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English advocat, advoket, from Old French advocat, from Latin advocātus (“an advocate”), from the substantivization of the perfect passive participle of advocāre (“to call for”) (see -ate (noun-forming suffix)), from a calque of Ancient Greek παράκλητος (paráklētos) (whence English paraclete). Doublet of advoke, avocat, avouch, and avow. The verb derives from the noun on the basis of -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I neuer did incense his Maiestie / Against the Duke of Clarence, but haue bin / An earnest aduocate to plead for him."
— c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
""I think," replied the young advocate, unwilling to give up a point in which his feelings were interested, "that even you would believe in Walter Maynard's success in life, if you knew him. What has brought the world to its present state, but individual talent?""
— 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter X, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 104:
"He became a tireless advocate for the needs of adults with IMD throughout Britain and internationally."
— 2011 October 9, Alix Lee, The Guardian:
"Those who have advocated the closure of the G.C. have so far failed to say by which alternative route this North-to-West traffic could be carried."
— 1960 December, B. Perren, “The role of the Great Central—present and future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 765:
"Varys even leans on Jon to assume the Iron Throne, which means he very well knew he wasn’t going to be around much longer, if he’s openly advocating others commit treason as well."
— 2019 May 12, Alex McLevy, “Westeros faces a disastrous final battle on the penultimate Game of Thrones (newbies)”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 15 May 2019:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The lawyer will ____ for the defendant's innocence in court tomorrow.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She is a strong ____ for the protection of endangered species worldwide.