advise

verb

ad·​vise əd-ˈvīz How to pronounce advise (audio)
advised; advising

transitive verb

1
a
: to give (someone) a recommendation about what should be done : to give advice to
Her doctor advised her to try a drier climate.
b
: caution, warn
advise them of the consequences
c
: recommend
advise prudence
2
: to give information or notice to : inform
advise them of their rights

intransitive verb

1
: to give a recommendation about what should be done
advise on legal matters
2
: to talk with someone in order to decide what should be done : consult
advise with friends

Did you know?

Advise was borrowed into Middle English in the 14th century as avise (spelling variants with the d found in the Modern English began showing up in the 15th century). The word is derived from the Anglo-French aviser, itself from avis, meaning "opinion." That avis is not to be confused with the Latin word avis, meaning "bird" (an ancestor of such English words as avian and aviation). Instead, it results from the Old French phrase ce m'est a vis ("that appears to me"), a partial translation of Latin mihi visum est, "it seemed so to me" or "I decided." We advise you to remember that the verb advise is spelled with an s, whereas the related noun advice includes a stealthy c.

Examples of advise in a Sentence

… the White House let it be known that the President had privately rebuked his Defense Secretary for not advising him of the extent of the problem. John F. Dickerson et al., Time, 17 May 2004
Bureau of Land Management officials are recruiting a variety of Wyoming residents to serve on a working group that will advise the agency on possible changes to the level and pace of oil and gas development … Jeff Gearino, Casper Star Tribune, 3 Mar. 2003
When I told my lawyer that my boyfriend was going to remodel my house, she advised me to get a strict estimate and regular billings … Jane Smiley, Harper's, June 2000
Los Angeles Center advised me of a Boeing 747 at my one o'clock position and 500 feet below. Barbara Cushman Rowell, Plane & Pilot, 1994
An internist … advised me of an experimental drug. Robert E. Neger, American Medical News, 2 Sept. 1991
I strongly advise you to sell your old car. We advised them to save their money. My doctor advised me to lose some weight. She advises the President on foreign affairs. We were thinking of buying that house, but our lawyer advised against it. I advise selling your old car. He advises patience when dealing with children. The boss asked us to keep him advised about how the project is going.
Recent Examples on the Web Authorities advised local primary schools to tell students not to approach any cats that appeared ill or abnormal, according to Nippon TV News. Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Disengage, a directive even many women behind parenting accounts advise. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 His remark sparks an emotional reaction from the Kentucky native, leading the House of Villains alum to advise his wife not to cry. Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Daniel Oppong, founder of The Courage Collective, a consultancy that advises companies on DEI, said DEI was created because marginalized communities have not always had equal opportunities for jobs, or felt a sense of belonging in majority-White corporate settings. Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 City officials do not have plans to close the beaches but advise visitors not to touch any tar that washes up along the shore. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 After golf, Lori flexes the undeserved handicap sticker on her Porsche and advises Larry to work on his short game. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 Pregnant women are also advised to get vaccinated to help protect themselves and their baby, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said in the release. Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 11 Mar. 2024 In a wise and loving pep talk, her mom advises against giving up — a refreshing change of pace from all those undermining movie mothers. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'advise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English avisen, advisen "to look at, examine, find out, take thought, consider, decide, instruct, counsel," borrowed from Anglo-French aviser, adviser "to look at, examine, consider, give advice to, inform," partly from a- (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + viser "to see, catch sight of" (going back to Vulgar Latin *vīsāre, alteration, by conjugational change, of Latin vīsere "to go and look, look," frequentative of vidēre "to see"), partly verbal derivative of avis "thought, judgment" — more at advice

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of advise was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near advise

Cite this Entry

“Advise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advise. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

advise

verb
ad·​vise əd-ˈvīz How to pronounce advise (audio)
advised; advising
1
a
: to give advice to
b
: recommend sense 3
advised caution
2
: to give information or notice to
were advised of the news
3
: to talk over a problem or decision
advised with her parents
adviser noun
or advisor

Legal Definition

advise

verb
ad·​vise əd-ˈvīz How to pronounce advise (audio)
advised; advising

transitive verb

1
: to give advice to : counsel
advise them to draw up a will
2
: to give information or notice to
advise them of their rights

intransitive verb

1
: to give advice
advise on legal matters
2
: to take counsel
advise with your lawyer
adviser noun
also advisor

More from Merriam-Webster on advise

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