consultant
n.-
1 business expert (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea person whose job is to give expert advice to a company or organization about a particular subject.
a professional who provides expert advice or services in a particular field of expertise to a third party for a fee.
ExampleThe company hired a marketing consultant to help them reach younger customers.
ExampleAfter the merger, the board brought in an independent consultant to evaluate the efficiency of the new organizational structure.
UsageOften used with 'on' or 'for' to specify the field of expertise.
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2 senior doctor (n.) C1 Advanced British English Medicinea very senior doctor in a hospital who has a lot of experience in a specific area of medicine.
a senior hospital-based physician or surgeon who has completed specialist training and holds the highest clinical rank.
ExampleThe consultant told me that I would need a small operation on my knee.
ExampleThe surgical consultant led the multidisciplinary team during the complex procedure, overseeing both the registrars and the nursing staff.
Teacher's tipIn American English, this role is usually called an 'attending physician' or simply a 'specialist'.
- specialist
- attending physician
From French consultant, present participle of consulter, from Latin cōnsultāre (“to deliberate, consult”), frequentative of cōnsulere (“to consult, deliberate, consider, reflect upon, ask advice”), from com- (“together”) + -sulere, of uncertain origin.