What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
esquire
Example
John Smith, Esq. represented the defendant in the case. [Esq.: abbreviation for Esquire]
Example
Mr. William Johnson, Esquire, will be attending the meeting. [Esquire: noun]
Example
Dear Mr. James Brown, Esq., I am writing to inquire about your services. [Esq.: honorific]
lawyer
Example
I need to hire a lawyer to help me with my divorce case. [lawyer: noun]
Example
The lawyer argued that his client was innocent. [lawyer: noun]
Example
She studied hard to become a lawyer and passed the bar exam. [lawyer: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lawyer is a more common word than esquire and is widely used in legal and non-legal contexts. Esquire is less common and is mainly used in formal legal documents and correspondence.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between esquire and lawyer?
Esquire is a more formal and traditional term used in legal documents and formal correspondence. Lawyer is a more modern and versatile term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
