counselor

noun

coun·​sel·​or ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)lər 

variants or counsellor

1

: a person who gives advice or counseling

a marriage counselor

2

: lawyer

specifically : one that gives advice in law and manages cases for clients in court

The defendant conferred with his counselor.

3

: one who has supervisory duties at a summer camp

The counselor led the campers on a hike through the woods.

counselorship

ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)lər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• adviser
• advisor
• consigliere
• consultant
• counsel

Examples of counselor in a Sentence

He works as a camp counselor.

a young couple going to a marriage counselor

Recent Examples on the Web

Probably enough to make sure some beleaguered districts had a full staff of counselors, and maybe better food. —Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024

Death doulas, a widening field of counselors and hospice/social workers, act similarly to labor doulas — professionals who support and ease life transitions, in this case, out instead of in. —Anna Spiegel, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024

Courtesy Ashley Perez Bruce, a mental health counselor, and Perez, a Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology, are still paying off student loans. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 30 Oct. 2024

Smaller Class Sizes and Expanded Support Services: Hire more teachers, counselors, and social workers to reduce class sizes and offer critical academic and emotional support. —Chicago Tribune, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see counsel entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing counselor

• counselor-at-law
• guidance counselor

Kids Definition

counselor

noun

coun·​sel·​or

variants or counsellor

ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)lər 

1

: a person who gives advice

guidance counselor

2

: lawyer

3

: a supervisor of campers or activities at a summer camp

Medical Definition

counselor

noun

coun·​sel·​or

variants or counsellor

ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)lər 

: a person engaged in counseling

Legal Definition

counselor

noun

coun·​se·​lor

ˈkau̇n-sə-lər

: counsel