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

• consultant
• adviser
• counsel
• advisor
• expert

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

During the scenes, Mr. Mackay — who became an ICE officer after being fired from his job as a South Park Elementary counselor because of a cut in funding from the Department of Education — works under Noem’s watch. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

The episode begins when Mr. Mackey loses his job as counselor of South Park Elementary. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025

As The Sydney Morning Herald reported, William ran a trucking company, and Jane was a school counselor. —Perri Ormont Blumberg, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025

The matriarch, who formerly worked as a school counselor and appeared alongside her husband, William, and their Oscar-winning son at the 2012 Academy Awards, died earlier this week, according to TMZ. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 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