What does "notary" mean?
A lawyer of noncontentious private civil law who drafts, takes, and records legal instruments for private parties, and provides legal advice, but does not appear in court on his or her clients' behalf.
Notary
/ˈnoʊtəɹi/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A lawyer of noncontentious private civil law who drafts, takes, and records legal instruments for private parties, and provides legal advice, but does not appear in court on his or her clients' behalf.
- Grammar: notary is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: notary public, accountant, amanuensis, approver.
- Usage evidence: When the articles of incorporation are complete it is essential to go to the notary public's office to undertake certification of the articles drawn up.
How to use "notary"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "notary" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "notary" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "notary" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "notary" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "notary" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "notary public" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "notary", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A lawyer of noncontentious private civil law who drafts, takes, and records legal instruments for private parties, and provides legal advice, but does not appear in court on his or her clients' behalf.
"Originally an official of the medieval European ecclesiastical courts, the notary developed into a noncontentious secular legal professional in France. In England, partly because the canon and secular laws were not on speaking terms, "the notarial system never took deep root." For one thing, an important aspect of the notary’s duties, his authority to "authenticate" documents, was of little use to the English. The whole notion of a state-sanctioned authenticator of private acts was entirely foreign to English common law; whereas in France we see notaries "making" and "passing" contracts, the common law left that to the parties."
- 2 someone legally empowered to witness signatures and certify a document's validity and to take depositions wordnet
- 3 A public notary, a legal practitioner who prepares, attests to, and certifies documents, witnesses affidavits, and administers oaths. common
- 4 A notary public, a public officer who serves as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents, but who is not authorised to practise law. Canada, US
"The giving of legal advice by notaries and others who are not admitted to practice law is, in its opinion, dangerous to the welfare of the community, because such persons have not demonstrated their capacity [...]"
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"When the articles of incorporation are complete it is essential to go to the notary public's office to undertake certification of the articles drawn up."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "notary"?
Common synonyms include: notary public, accountant, amanuensis, approver, archivist, attester.
How do you use "notary" in a sentence?
When the articles of incorporation are complete it is essential to go to the notary public's office to undertake certification of the articles drawn up.
How do you pronounce "notary"?
Pronounced /ˈnoʊtəɹi/.
Etymology
From Middle English notarie, from Old French notarie (French notaire), from Latin notārius.