agony aunt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agony aunt" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to an experienced advice columnist who offers solutions to problems presented by readers. For example, "My local newspaper has an agony aunt who gives me advice on how to deal with difficult or uncomfortable personal issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was an agony aunt.

The Guardian

I could be an agony aunt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Could you present an agony aunt show?

The Guardian - Music

Do people often turn to you as an agony aunt?

The Guardian - Music

Now, in her 70s, she is Saga magazine's agony aunt.

The Guardian - Books

Loaded question Loaded has appointed Julie Burchill to be its agony aunt.

Independent

Interviewing private equity people makes one feel like an agony aunt.

Independent

Claire Rayner, who has died aged 79, was arguably the best-loved agony aunt in Britain.

The Times

Comedian and writer Viv Groskop will be recording an agony aunt podcast.

The Guardian

A new kind of agony aunt draws on the therapeutic powers of books and poems.

The New Yorker

You don't have to be an agony aunt to spot the underlying resentment in your missive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, ensure the context makes it clear you're referring to a public advice-giver, not simply someone who gives personal advice.

Common error

Avoid using "agony aunt" to describe someone who only provides advice informally to friends or family. The term implies a professional, public role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agony aunt" functions primarily as a noun, typically used to describe a person who writes an advice column in a publication. Ludwig confirms that it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Science

0.5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "agony aunt" is a common and accepted term for an advice columnist, particularly in British English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in the context of news and media. While alternatives like "advice columnist" or "personal advisor" exist, "agony aunt" specifically implies a public figure offering advice on personal problems. The key is to use it when referring to someone with a professional role in providing advice through a published medium.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Advice columnist

Focuses on the role of giving advice through a column, omitting the 'agony' aspect.

Help columnist

Highlights the assistance given via published articles.

Advice guru

Highlights the expertise in giving advice.

Advice giver

General term for someone who provides advice, lacking the professional context.

Dear Abby

Specific reference to a well-known advice columnist.

Problem solver

Emphasizes the act of solving problems, not specifically in an advice-giving context.

Personal advisor

Implies a more personalized and private advisory role.

Confidante

Highlights the trusting relationship aspect, not the public advice-giving role.

Relationship expert

Focuses specifically on relationship advice, not general problems.

Counselor

More formal and professional, implying a therapeutic or guiding role.

FAQs

What does the term "agony aunt" mean?

An "agony aunt" is a person who writes an advice column, typically in a newspaper or magazine, responding to readers' personal problems.

What can I say instead of "agony aunt"?

You can use alternatives like "advice columnist", "advice giver", or "personal advisor" depending on the context.

Is "agony aunt" a formal or informal term?

"Agony aunt" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal term, commonly used in media and everyday conversation.

How do I use "agony aunt" in a sentence?

Example: "She wrote to the "agony aunt" for advice on her relationship problems."