What does advocate mean?
An advocate is a person who publicly supports, defends, or pleads on behalf of a cause, policy, group, or individual. Used as a verb, 'to advocate' means to actively recommend or argue in favour of something, as when a scientist advocates investment in renewable energy. The word implies more than quiet agreement: an advocate speaks out, campaigns, and works to persuade others. It is common in political, legal, medical, and social contexts — one might be an advocate for education reform, patients' rights, or environmental protection. In law, particularly in British usage, an advocate is also a professional who argues cases in court on behalf of a client. Derived from the Latin 'advocare', meaning 'to call to one's aid', the word has carried this sense of standing beside and speaking for another since antiquity. Its enduring usefulness lies in capturing both the role of the supporter and the act of support itself.
A person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause, policy, group, or individual.
"He was a lifelong advocate of nuclear disarmament."
Often used with 'for' or 'of'; in legal contexts, may refer specifically to a lawyer pleading a case in court.
A professional lawyer who pleads on behalf of a client in court, especially in Scottish and certain other legal systems.
"The advocate presented the evidence to the jury with great skill."
To publicly recommend or support a cause, policy, or course of action.
"Many economists advocate raising the minimum wage."
Usually takes a direct object (a noun) rather than a clause; 'advocate doing something' is common but 'advocate that...' is less frequent.
Standard plural, used when referring to multiple supporters of a cause or members of the legal profession.
"Advocates from several charities gathered outside parliament to lobby for the new bill."
In ancient Rome, an 'advocatus' was literally someone 'called to' stand beside you — the word has meant 'the person in your corner' for over two thousand years.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of advocate
Advocate derives from the Latin 'advocatus', the past participle of 'advocare', meaning 'to call to one's aid', formed from 'ad-' (towards) and 'vocare' (to call). In Roman law, an advocatus was a person summoned to assist another in legal matters, giving the word its early association with legal defence. The term passed into Old French as 'avocat' before entering English in the Middle Ages, retaining both its legal sense and its broader meaning of a supporter or champion. Related words sharing the same Latin root include 'advocacy' and 'vocation', which likewise stem from 'vocare'.
Related word forms
How advocate is actually used
As a verb, advocate typically takes what it supports as its direct object ('advocate reform'), and is usually followed by a noun rather than a clause. The noun often appears with 'for' or 'of'. In legal contexts, especially in Britain, 'advocate' can specifically mean a barrister or counsel arguing a case in court. The word carries a positive connotation of active, public support rather than passive approval.
Easily confused with advocate
Advocacy is the activity or practice of supporting a cause, while an advocate is the person who carries out that support.
An adversary opposes or fights against someone, whereas an advocate speaks in support of them.