The correct plural is attorneys.
“Attornies” is a misspelling. It looks plausible because English does pluralize many nouns ending in -y by changing that y to -ies — but that rule does not apply here, and understanding why takes about thirty seconds.
Why “Attorneys” and Not “Attornies”
English has a reliable pattern for words ending in -y:
- If the letter before the y is a consonant, change y to -ies.
- If the letter before the y is a vowel, just add -s.
“Attorney” ends in -ey, not a plain -y after a consonant. The letter before the y is e, a vowel. So the plural follows the simpler path: add -s.
| Singular | Ends in | Plural |
| attorney | vowel + y (ey) | attorneys |
| colony | consonant + y (ny) | colonies |
| donkey | vowel + y (ey) | donkeys |
| party | consonant + y (ty) | parties |
| monkey | vowel + y (ey) | monkeys |
| battery | consonant + y (ry) | batteries |
The same pattern explains why “donkeys” and “monkeys” take a simple -s. “Attorney” fits that same group.
Where the Confusion Comes From
The -ies ending is common enough in English that it can feel like the default for any word ending in y. Words like “enemies,” “theories,” “libraries,” and “families” reinforce that habit. When someone sees “attorney,” the y at the end can trigger that automatic -ies response — even though the vowel before it changes everything.
It’s a natural mistake, but “attornies” is not an accepted variant in any major dictionary or style guide. It’s simply incorrect.
Attorneys or Attornies Examples in Use
- The attorneys argued the case before a packed courtroom.
- Both attorneys agreed to postpone the hearing.
- The firm employs twelve attorneys across three practice areas.
- She asked whether the attorneys had reviewed the contract.
- District attorneys across the state issued a joint statement.
Notice that “district attorneys” and “attorneys general” (the correct plural of “attorney general”) both follow the same rule — no -ies in sight.
A Quick Note on “Attorney General”
The plural of “attorney general” is attorneys general, not “attorney generals.” In this phrase, “attorney” is the main noun and “general” is a modifier, so the noun takes the plural form. This is the same logic behind “courts martial” and “sergeants major” — older compound nouns where the first word carries the plural.
The One Rule Worth Remembering
If a word ends in a vowel + y, pluralize it by adding -s.
Attorney → attorneys. Every time.
Read more:
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It’s Afini, I am the author at Vocab press, a website focused on animal facts with clear visuals and simple guides. I research and share accurate, easy-to-understand information for readers of all ages. My goal is to make learning about animals fun, trustworthy, and simple. I follow fact-based writing and keep content updated, helpful, and people-first. Thank you for reading.
