noun
Uncommon
councillor
Councillor (noun) means a member of a council, especially someone elected to serve on a local government body. Example: “The local councillor promised to fix the potholes on Main Street.”
noun
1
A member of a council, especially someone elected to serve on a local government body.
"The local councillor promised to fix the potholes on Main Street."
"Our councillor holds a surgery every Saturday so residents can raise their concerns."
"The councillor voted to keep the village library open."
How to use councillor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn elected member of a local council.
Common mistake
Not the same as "counsellor" (someone who gives advice or therapy) — a spelling that trips up many writers.
UK vs US
"Councillor" is the standard spelling in UK English for this role; American English rarely uses this exact title.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- councillors
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The local _____ promised to fix the potholes on Main Street.
Etymology
Altered from "counsellor" to match the spelling of "council," since the two words were often confused.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “councillor” mean?
The word “councillor” means a member of a council, especially someone elected to serve on a local government body. In plain terms, an elected member of a local council.
How do you use “councillor” in a sentence?
Here is “councillor” used in a sentence: “The local councillor promised to fix the potholes on Main Street.”
What is another word for “councillor”?
Words with a similar meaning to “councillor” include councilmember and councilwoman.
What part of speech is “councillor”?
“Councillor” is a noun.
Is “councillor” a common word?
“Councillor” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between councillor and counselor?
A councillor is a member of a council, especially someone elected to a local government body, while a counselor is a professional who helps people with personal or emotional problems, or a lawyer. The two words are pronounced similarly but have entirely different meanings.
Is councillor spelled with one L or two?
Councillor is typically spelled with two Ls in British English, while American English often uses the single-L spelling 'councilor' for the same meaning of a council member.
What does a councillor do?
A councillor represents constituents on a local government council, taking part in decisions about local services, policies, and community matters within their area.
