Consult Meaning
/ˈkɒnsʌlt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA visit to consult somebody, such as a doctor; a consultation.
nounThe act of consulting or deliberating; consultation.
Sentence Examples
You'd better consult the doctor.
You'd better consult your doctor.
If only you were here, I could consult you about it.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Before making a final decision, we should ____ a financial expert.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
You'd better ____ the doctor.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French consulte. In sense “council”, it represents Latin cōnsultum, Italian consulto; and it may have been often taken as a direct formation from the verb.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"For firſt upon conſult of reaſon, there will bee found no eaſie aſſurance for to faſten a materiall or temperamentall propriety upon any nation; […]"
— 1646, Thomas Browne, “Of the Iewes”, in Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], London: […] T[homas] H[arper] for Edward Dod, […], →OCLC, 4th book, page 201:
"[T]he council broke; / And all their grave conſults diſſolv'd in ſmoke."
— a. 1701 (date written), John Dryden, “The First Book of Homer’s Ilias”, in The Miscellaneous Works of John Dryden, […], volume IV, London: […] J[acob] and R[ichard] Tonson, […], published 1760, →OCLC, page 431:
"a consult of coquettes"
— 1730, Jonathan Swift, chapter 5, in Death and Daphne:
"Let us consult upon to-morrow's business."
— 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, [Act V, scene iii]:
"SIR,—I have the honour to refer to your letter requesting me to desire Mr. Y. Ching-chong to come and consult with the Municipal Council, as Mr. Wood, the Chairman of that Body had informed you at a personal interview that they fully concurred in the desirability of co-operation with Mr. Ching-chong in improvements in the Honan road draining and lighting."
— 1889 January 11 [1888 December 21], Kung Taotai, “North Honan Road.”, in M. F. A. Fraser, transl., North-China Herald and Supreme Court & Consular Gazette, volume XLII, number 1119, Shanghai, →OCLC, page 37, column 1:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Before making a final decision, we should ____ a financial expert.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
You'd better ____ the doctor.