advice

/ədˈvaɪs/
recommendations or guidance

She gave me some excellent advice on how to prepare for the interview.

She provided useful suggestions to help with interview preparation.


neutral

Guidance or recommendations offered to someone about what to do in a particular situation.

The doctor's advice was to rest and drink plenty of fluids.

The doctor recommended resting and increasing fluid intake.

He ignored his lawyer's advice and signed the contract.

He disregarded his lawyer's legal guidance and agreed to the contract.

Uncountable noun; do not use 'an advice' — use 'a piece of advice' or 'some advice'.

Collocations

piece of advicea single recommendation or suggestionseek adviceto ask for guidance or recommendationsgive adviceto offer guidance or recommendationstake someone's adviceto follow someone's recommendations

Pro Tip

Avoid 'an advice'

Since 'advice' is uncountable, never say 'an advice'. Instead, use 'a piece of advice' or 'some advice'.

Gold Rule

Use 'advice' correctly in sentences

Correct: 'She gave me advice.' Incorrect: 'She gave me an advice.'

Word Origin

Middle English: from Old French *avise* (noun use of *aviser* 'consider, give consideration to'), based on Latin *advisare*, frequentative of *advisere* 'consider', from *ad-* 'to' + *videre* 'see'.

Usage Notes

Advice is typically uncountable. Use 'a piece of advice' for a single recommendation. In formal contexts, 'advice' can refer to professional guidance, such as legal or financial advice.

Word Breakdown

ad-
to, toward
prefix
+
-vise
see, look
root
English Dictionary