consult

Consult is a word with several closely related senses centered on seeking or offering advice, information, or confirmation. The core verb means to seek guidance from someone with expertise or authority, or to refer to a source of information such as a book or manual. It can also mean to deliberate or confer with others before making a decision. The noun form is typically consultation, though in some professional contexts consult may appear as a shorthand for a consultation session.

Usage examples include consulting a doctor for medical advice, consulting the manual for instructions, or consulting with colleagues before a course of action. The verb can be transitive, as in “I will consult my advisor,” or intransitive with a preposition, as in “to consult with the committee.” A person who provides expert advice is a consultant, and the practice is often referred to as consulting.

In medicine, a consult is a formal request by one physician for evaluation or opinion by a specialist. The resulting documentation is a consultation report. In law, business, and government, consulting describes the provision of specialized expertise to organizations, ranging from short advisory engagements to long-term projects. The consulting profession includes individual practitioners and consulting firms, and it often emphasizes problem diagnosis, evidence-based recommendations, and change management.

Etymologically, consult comes from Latin consulere “to take counsel,” via Old French and Early Modern English, reflecting its long association with advisory deliberation. Related terms include advise, confer, reference, and consultation, each highlighting different facets of seeking or giving guidance.