English Reference
noun

advisor

n.
US /ædˈvaɪzɝ/ UK /ɐdvˈaɪzɐ/ ad·vi·sor UK spelling advisor's, advisor's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    someone whose job is to give expert advice to a person or an organisation.

    an individual who provides professional counsel or expert information, typically to a leader, government, or corporation.

    Simple

    The president met with his senior military advisor to discuss the new security plan.

    In context

    The company hired a specialist legal advisor to ensure the merger complied with international trade regulations.

    Usage

    Often used with a modifying noun like 'financial', 'legal', or 'senior'.

    Pitfall
    He is a financial adviser. He is a financial advisor.

    Both 'adviser' and 'advisor' are correct, but 'advisor' is more common in American English and formal job titles.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    a teacher who helps a student choose their classes and plan their studies.

    a faculty member who guides a student's academic progress and course selection.

    Simple

    I need to meet with my academic advisor to sign off on my graduation requirements.

    In context

    The doctoral advisor provided critical feedback on the student's thesis proposal during their monthly consultation.

    Usage

    Commonly used in university settings.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency Technical

    a piece in the game of xiangqi (Chinese chess) that moves diagonally and stays inside the palace area.

    a defensive piece in xiangqi that moves one point diagonally and is restricted to the nine-point palace.

    Simple

    He moved his advisor to protect the general from the opponent's chariot.

    In context

    In xiangqi strategy, the two advisors are essential for creating a defensive screen around the general within the palace boundaries.

Former senior advisor at the state department Aya Ibrahim said the US's overreliance on them "incentivises countries to find ways around that system".

BBC News· 25 Aug 2026

From advise + -or.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated