Advocate
/ˈædvəkət/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a noun, an advocate is someone who supports a cause, idea, or person and often speaks or acts to help them. As a verb, to advocate means to publicly support or recommend a particular idea, cause, or action. Advocates try to help others by sharing their views or defending their interests.
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See It in Action
Noun: A person who supports or defends a cause or person
- •She is an advocate for animal rights.
- •The advocate spoke at the meeting to protect the environment.
- •He works as an advocate for people with disabilities.
Verb: To publicly support or recommend something
- •They advocate for better education in schools.
- •The group advocates recycling and reducing waste.
- •She advocates healthy eating habits in her community.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "advocate" like "help" or "support" (A1 words), but with the idea of speaking or acting for someone or something
- ✓Picture a person standing up and talking loudly to help a friend or an important idea, like a teacher explaining why reading is good
- ✓It's the feeling when you want to help others by telling people why something is good or fair
- ✓Sounds like “ADD-vo-kate” → Imagine someone adding (ADD) their voice to help or support a cause
- ✓Think of a lawyer in movies who defends someone in court, or a friend who speaks up for you when you are in trouble
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (not paying attention), advocate means to pay attention and support actively
- ✓NOT like "complain" (say bad things), advocate means to say good or helpful things to support
- ✓NOT like "order" (tell others what to do), advocate means to suggest or support, not force
Try Other Words
- •Support: to help or back something (Use when help is more general or quiet)
- •Defend: to protect from harm or attack (Use when protecting someone or something actively)
- •Promote: to encourage or make something popular (Use when focusing on making ideas known or accepted)
- •Recommend: to suggest something as good or useful (Use when giving advice or suggestions)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Latin "ad-" (to, toward) + "vocare" (to call, speak)
- •Etymology: Comes from Latin meaning "to call toward" or "to speak for"
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 15th century to mean speaking in favor of something
- •Modern usage: Common in law, politics, social causes, and everyday life to mean supporting or speaking for ideas or people
Reflect & Connect
•When is it important to be an advocate in your own life, and how can you do it?
•How does being an advocate differ from just agreeing with an idea quietly?
Fill in the blanks
1.An advocate speaks ___ for people who cannot speak for ___ themselves.
2.When you advocate for a cause, you usually try to ___ others to support it too.
3.Unlike a quiet supporter, an advocate often ___ publicly to share their views.
4.She advocates ___ better health care, so she talks to many people about it.
5.The lawyer acted as an advocate ___ his client during the trial.
6.If someone only thinks something is good but does not say it, they are not ___ for it.
7.Advocates often work hard to ___ changes in laws or rules.