noun
Uncommon
counselor
KOWN-suh-luh
Counselor (noun) means a trained professional who helps people work through personal, emotional, or career problems. Example: “The school counselor helped her choose which colleges to apply to.”
noun
1
A trained professional who helps people work through personal, emotional, or career problems.
"The school counselor helped her choose which colleges to apply to."
"After the move, my son talked to a counselor about feeling lonely."
"A career counselor helped him work out which job would suit his strengths."
2
A lawyer, especially one representing a client in court.
"The judge asked counselor for the defense to approach the bench."
"The counselor for the plaintiff rose and asked the witness a question."
"Her counselor advised her not to answer until the judge had ruled."
3
An adult who supervises children, typically at a summer camp.
"She worked as a camp counselor every summer during college."
"The counselor led the campers on a nature walk before lunch."
"Each cabin has one counselor who makes sure the children go to bed on time."
How to use counselor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who gives professional guidance — whether therapeutic, legal, or as a camp supervisor.
UK vs US
American English spells this "counselor"; British English uses "counsellor" with a double L.
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Word forms
- Plural
- counselors
Fill the gap
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The school _____ helped her choose which colleges to apply to.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman cunseiler, ultimately from Latin cōnsilium ("advice, plan").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for counselor
See all rhymes for counselor →Frequently asked questions
What does “counselor” mean?
The word “counselor” means a trained professional who helps people work through personal, emotional, or career problems. In plain terms, someone who gives professional guidance — whether therapeutic, legal, or as a camp supervisor.
How do you pronounce “counselor”?
“Counselor” is pronounced KOWN-suh-luh (/ˈkaʊnsələ(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “counselor” in a sentence?
Here is “counselor” used in a sentence: “The school counselor helped her choose which colleges to apply to.”
What part of speech is “counselor”?
“Counselor” is a noun.
Where does the word “counselor” come from?
The word “counselor” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman cunseiler, ultimately from Latin cōnsilium ("advice, plan").
Is “counselor” a common word?
“Counselor” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “counselor” have?
“Counselor” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a trained professional who helps people work through personal, emotional, or career problems.
What is the difference between counselor and councillor?
A counselor is a trained professional who helps people with personal, emotional, or career problems, or a lawyer representing clients in court, while a councillor is an elected member of a local government council. Despite sounding alike, the two words refer to entirely different roles.
What is the difference between a counselor and a therapist?
A counselor typically helps people work through specific personal, emotional, or career problems, often over a shorter term, while a therapist may address deeper or longer-term psychological issues. In some contexts the terms overlap, but counselor is also used for legal and camp-supervision roles that therapist is not.
Why is a lawyer sometimes called a counselor?
A lawyer is sometimes called a counselor, especially in court, because the term refers to someone who represents and advises a client, particularly in legal proceedings.
