Have you ever typed “attornies” while writing a legal email or blog post and suddenly started doubting yourself? Don’t worry — you’re not alone. Many students, writers, and even professionals get confused between “attornies” and “attorneys.” The words look similar, sound almost the same, but only one of them is correct in standard English.
In today’s world, where writing accuracy matters — from legal blogs to job applications — small spelling mistakes like this can make a big difference. That’s why thousands of people search for “attornies or attorneys” every month, just to confirm which one is right.
In this article, we’ll clear up the confusion once and for all. You’ll learn the correct spelling, where it came from, why people mix them up, and how to remember it forever. By the end, you’ll be able to write with confidence — and make your words look smart, polished, and professional every time.
Attornies or Attorneys – Quick Answer
✅ Correct spelling: Attorneys
❌ Incorrect spelling: Attornies
Example:
- Correct: “The attorneys discussed the case in court.”
- Incorrect: “The attornies discussed the case in court.”
👉 Attorneys is the proper plural of attorney, following the standard rule for words ending in “-ey.”
The Origin of Attornies or Attorneys
The word attorney comes from the Old French word “atorné,” meaning appointed or assigned person. It entered English in the 14th century to describe someone acting on another’s behalf—usually in legal matters.
When English spelling became standardized, the plural followed the same pattern as monkey → monkeys and donkey → donkeys. The ending “-eys” stayed, so attorneys became the correct plural.
Attornies once appeared in older texts, but it faded as dictionaries adopted attorneys as the only accepted form.
British English vs American English Spelling
Unlike many English words, there’s no regional difference between British and American spelling here.
Both versions use attorneys as the plural form. However, there is a small difference in meaning:
| Term | Region | Meaning/Use | Example |
| Attorney | US | A licensed lawyer | “She works as a defense attorney.” |
| Attorney | UK | Rare; used mainly in formal terms like “Power of Attorney.” | “He signed the document as her attorney.” |
So while the word’s meaning shifts slightly by region, the plural attorneys stays the same.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
- For the US audience: Always use attorneys.
- For the UK/Commonwealth audience: Still use attorneys, though lawyers or barristers are more common.
- For global or online writing: Attorneys is the correct and universally recognized form.
👉 No matter your audience, attornies is never correct in modern English.
Common Mistakes with Attornies or Attorneys
- ❌ Writing attornies instead of attorneys.
- ❌ Mixing up attorney with attorney-general (the plural is attorneys-general, not attorney-generals).
- ❌ Using attorney and lawyer as exact synonyms—context matters.
Correct Examples:
- “The two attorneys handled the case professionally.”
- “Several attorneys-general met to discuss new policies.”
Attornies or Attorneys in Everyday Examples
- Email: “Our attorneys will review the contract and respond shortly.”
- News: “State attorneys announced new legal reforms.”
- Social Media: “Proud of our team of attorneys for winning today’s case!”
- Formal Writing: “The attorneys submitted their final arguments before the court.”
These examples show how attorneys fits smoothly in both formal and casual settings.
Attornies or Attorneys – Google Trends & Usage Data
Google data shows that “attorneys” dominates search results worldwide, while “attornies” only appears as a typo.
| Keyword | Correctness | Popularity | Context |
| Attorneys | ✅ Correct | Very High | Legal, business, formal writing |
| Attornies | ❌ Incorrect | Very Low | Common misspelling |
📈 According to global search trends, the US, UK, and Canada all show attorneys as the preferred spelling, proving its universal acceptance.
FAQs
1. Which is correct: attornies or attorneys?
✅ Attorneys is correct. Attornies is a common misspelling.
2. Why is “attornies” wrong?
Because words ending in “-ey” form plurals by adding “-s,” not “-ies.”
3. What is the plural of attorney-general?
The correct plural is attorneys-general.
4. Do British people use the word attorney?
Rarely. They prefer lawyer or barrister, though attorney appears in legal phrases like Power of Attorney.
5. Is attorney the same as lawyer?
Not exactly. All attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers act as legal representatives.
6. How do you pronounce attorney?
It’s pronounced uh-TUR-nee.
7. Is it okay to use attornies in informal writing?
No. Even in casual writing, attorneys is the only correct spelling.
Conclusion
The confusion between attornies and attorneys comes from English plural rules. But the answer is simple: only “attorneys” is correct. It follows the same pattern as other “-ey” words like monkeys and donkeys.
The misspelling attornies may appear online, but it’s grammatically wrong and should be avoided in professional or academic writing. Whether you’re drafting an email, preparing legal content, or publishing a blog, always choose attorneys. It’s the standard spelling across the US, UK, and beyond—and the one that makes your writing look sharp, credible, and correct.
