Origin: Latin suffix -ate
Advocate has 6 different meanings across 2 categories:
a lawyer who pleads cases in court
"The skilled advocate stood before the judge to present her client's case."
Someone whose job is to speak for someone's case in a court of law; a counsel.
"The skilled advocate stood before the jury and presented evidence to defend her client's innocence."
In plain English: An advocate is someone who publicly supports and argues for a particular cause, person, or idea.
"The local advocate for animal rights gave a speech at the town hall meeting."
Usage: Use "advocate" as a noun to refer specifically to a lawyer who argues cases before a tribunal, though it can also describe anyone who publicly supports a cause or policy. Distinguish this from the verb form when you need to specify whether someone is legally representing another person versus simply championing an idea.
To plead in favour of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
"The lawyer will advocate for her client's innocence during the trial."
In plain English: To advocate means to speak up strongly for something or someone so that people will support it.
"The doctor advocated for more exercise to improve her patient's health."
The word "advocate" comes from the Latin advocatus, which originally meant "one who is called for." This term was formed from a phrase meaning "to call to one's aid," reflecting its roots in Ancient Greek.