Advice: Definition, Correct Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：guidance or recommendation (advice)

advice 🔊

/ədˈvaɪs/

An opinion or suggestion about what someone should do in a particular situation.

Illustration of giving and receiving advice in a casual cafe setting

guidance or recommendation 🔊

➕

/ˈɡaɪdns ɔːr ˌrɛkəmenˈdeɪʃn/

An opinion or suggestion offered as a guide to someone's future action, especially from someone with more knowledge or experience in a particular matter.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ad visum' (according to view), via Old French 'avis'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of giving ADVICE as adding (AD-) a wise voice (VICE sounds like 'voice').

📖 Example

I'm not sure which university to choose; I should ask for my teacher's advice. 🔊 I'm not sure which university to choose; I should seek my teacher's guidance or recommendation.

🔗 Collocations

ask for advice – to request guidance or suggestions from someone

give advice – to offer suggestions or recommendations to someone

take advice – to accept and act upon someone's suggestions

🔄 Synonyms

recommendation (n.) – A suggestion for a suitable course of action.

suggestion (n.) – An idea or plan put forward for consideration.

counsel (n.) – Advice, especially that given formally.

🚫 Antonyms

command (n.) – An authoritative order that must be obeyed.

🌱 Derivatives

advise (v.) – To offer suggestions about the best course of action.

adviser (n.) – A person who gives advice in a particular field.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'advice' entered English in the late 13th century from Old French 'avis', meaning 'opinion, view, judgment, idea'. The French term itself evolved from the Latin phrase 'ad visum', literally 'to what is seen', hence 'according to one's view'. This reflects the core idea that advice is a perspective offered to another.