consult
[verb]
Synonyms: ask, compare notes, confer, pick (someone's) brains, question, refer to, take counsel, turn to

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Related Words: cogitate, counsel, deliberate, consider, examine, review

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English Thesaurus: consult, see, ask sb’s advice, check with somebody, turn to somebody, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

con‧sult S3 W3 AC /kənˈsʌlt/ verb
[Word Family: noun: consultation, consultancy, consultant, consulting; adjective: consultative, consulting; verb: consult]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: consulter, from Latin consultare, from consulere 'to discuss, consult']

1. [intransitive and transitive] to ask for information or advice from someone because it is their job to know something:
If symptoms persist, consult a doctor without delay.
consult somebody about something
An increasing number of people are consulting their accountants about the tax laws.
consult with
I need to consult with my lawyer.

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In everyday English, people usually say ask someone, or see someone, rather than consult someone:
You need to ask your lawyer.
I think you should go and see your doctor.

2. [intransitive and transitive] to discuss something with someone so that you can make a decision together:
I can’t believe you sold the car without consulting me!
consult with
The President consulted with European leaders before taking action.

3. [transitive] to look for information in a book, map, list etc:
Have you consulted a dictionary?

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

consult
verb
ADV. widely We consulted quite widely before deciding what to do.
closely | adequately, properly They felt they had not been properly consulted.
VERB + CONSULT need to, should If the pain persists you should consult your doctor.
PREP. about I need to consult my teacher about changing my course.
with We are consulting closely with our partners and allies.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

consult formal to get advice from someone who is trained in a particular profession, for example a lawyer or a doctor:
You should consult your lawyer before exchanging contracts.
see to go to someone and ask them for for their advice, especially a professional person such as a lawyer or doctor. See is the usual word to use in everyday English:
I think he needs to see a doctor.
Why don’t you go and see an accountant?
ask sb’s advice to ask someone to tell you what they think you should do in a particular situation:
I asked my teacher’s advice when it was time to apply for colleges.
check with somebody to ask someone whether something is correct or a good idea:
Check with your doctor before starting on a new exercise program.
turn to somebody to go to someone to ask for help, advice, or sympathy:
Many people who were struggling to repay mortgages turned to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau for help.
pick sb’s brains informal to ask someone who knows a lot about something for their ideas about it:
The conference was a great place to meet other managers and pick their brains about issues I was also facing.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲