consultative

consultative — adjective

1. describes a group, document, or process that gives suggestions or expert guidanc

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

describes a group, document, or process that gives suggestions or expert guidance on a subject, usually without having the power to make the final decision

Example

The report was only consultative, so the board did not have to follow its advice.

passive: was only consultative — no binding power

Anjali chairs a consultative committee that helps the hospital plan its budget.

collocation: consultative committee

Common collocations
  • consultative committee
  • consultative document
  • consultative process
  • consultative body
  • consultative group
  • consultative role
Synonyms
  • advisory

    closest synonym; slightly broader in meaning and more common in everyday use

  • recommending

    more specific, focusing on putting forward a particular course of action

  • consulting

    describes a person or firm whose job is to give professional advice, rather than the function itself

Antonyms
  • executive

    having the power to act or enforce decisions rather than merely advise

  • binding

    describes a decision that must be followed, unlike consultative advice which is optional

Usage Note

Typically appears before nouns such as 'committee', 'document', 'process', or 'group'. The word describes the purpose or function of giving advice, not the act of making a decision.

Common Mistakes

The consultative committee has the final say on the budget.
The consultative committee gave its recommendations on the budget.
A consultative body advises but does not make final decisions.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Advisory is the closest synonym and can often replace consultative in most contexts, though advisory is more general — it covers any giving of advice, while consultative emphasizes the process of seeking and considering advice. Consulting describes a person or organization that gives professional advice as its business (e.g., a consulting firm), whereas consultative focuses on the function rather than the profession. Recommending is more specific, describing the act of putting forward a particular course of action. For example, a consultative committee may produce a recommendation, but its role is broader than just recommending. A doctor gives medical advice — that is advisory — but does not offer a consultative role to a hospital board unless formally appointed to do so.

advisory ↗consultingrecommending

Common collocations

Nouns

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word consultative comes from the Latin verb consultare, meaning 'to ask for advice or to deliberate.' This passed into French as consultatif, and then into English in the 1500s. The core idea — giving counsel or advice — has remained central to its meaning ever since.