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 of counselor

• adviser
• consultant

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

When Bowens was pregnant with the first of her six children more than two decades ago, a counselor recommended a doula. —Laura Ungar, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

He's been scouring the area to find the cheapest gas while juggling two jobs, as a youth counselor for a Boys and Girls Club in nearby Carson and a private fitness trainer. —Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026

The school’s principal, Karen Miller, said counselors would be available starting Monday. —Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026

The event is the product of work from the Middle School Mental Health Awareness Committee, composed of middle school teachers Riley Pratt and Miranda Katz and counselor Kiara Grant. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

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