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

Another 50 students are expected to join the program this fall when the school launches its second career track in human and social services — focused on jobs such as being a social worker or counselor. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025

Cardinals are special bishops and other Vatican officials who serve as the pope’s counselors and visually distinguish themselves with a red cloak. —Solcyré Burga, Time, 21 Apr. 2025

In Half Moon Bay, Belinda Arriaga, a mental health counselor who works with migrant farmworkers, said the pope was a symbol of justice and inclusion. —Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025

Peter Navarro Navarro’s official title is senior counselor for trade and manufacturing. —Brett Samuels, The Hill, 19 Apr. 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