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

Success Factors Beyond School Prestige College counselors emphasize that student success correlates more strongly with campus engagement, mentorship relationships, and academic interests than with institutional prestige. —Sarah Hernholm, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

For more information, call [phone] to reach a Fannie Mae housing counselor who can provide a needs assessment and create a personalized recovery plan. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025

Driving Pa Beck back to his mansion, Reacher takes an odd swerve into family counselor mode, telling the gunrunner that his son deserves to know that the reason he’s been made to suffer these last five years is because, welp, his old man is a gunrunner. —Chris Klimek, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025

There's a social stigma, however, and the hit to your credit will be more severe Speak to an attorney or credit counselor about whether bankruptcy is the right choice for you. —Dan Avery, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for counselor

• councillor
• councilor
• counsellor

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